Six suspects have appeared in court, accused of orchestrating a fraudulent insurance scheme linked to multiple murders, with payouts totalling R10 million.
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Six suspects accused of being part of an alleged insurance-related murder syndicate appeared briefly in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, facing multiple serious charges linked to the deaths of several victims.
The accused, Masephe Thomas Shokane, 50, William Shokane, 41, Mmakoena David Kutumela, 52, Masepe Damaris Selepe, 38, Mojeri Benedictor Mataba, 38, and Martha Iris Ruiters, are charged with nine counts of murder, as well as money laundering, receiving proceeds of unlawful activities, and fraud.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi says the suspects are allegedly connected to a broader scheme involving fraudulent life and funeral insurance policies taken out on victims over more than a decade.
“The six accused were arrested on March 10, 2026,” said Malabi.
The case is part of a larger investigation involving members of the same family and their associates.
The Shokane brothers are siblings of former police officer Rachel Raesetsa Shokane Kutumela, who was previously stationed at the Senwabarwana Police Station, and Annah Shokane. They are also the uncles of Madjadji Flora Shokane.
David Kutumela is the husband of Rachel Kutumela, and the accused are from Moletjie Makgofe and Sebokeng.
The State alleges that between 2013 and 2024, several members of the group orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently take out insurance policies on victims before claiming large payouts.
“It is alleged that between 2013 and 2024, Rachel Kutumela, Annah Shokane, Madjadji Shokane, David Kutumela, Damaris Selepe, and Mojeri Mataba fraudulently took out various life and funeral insurance policies on several victims and later claimed payouts totalling approximately R10 million,” Malabi said.
Authorities say the payouts were made by multiple financial institutions and insurers, including ABSA, Standard Bank, Capitec, Hollard, AVBOB, Assupol, Old Mutual, One Life, and Clientele.
“The State further alleges that the unlawful proceeds were shared among Madjadji, Rachel, Annah, Johannes, Thomas, William, David, Damaris, Benedictor, and Iris.”
The matter was postponed to March 25, 2026 to allow for profiling of the accused and for two of the suspects, Ruiters and Selepe, to secure legal representation.
Meanwhile, the trial of Rachel Kutumela, Annah Shokane, and Madjadji Shokane has already been transferred to the Polokwane High Court.
“The trial of Rachel Kutumela, Annah Shokane, and Madjadji Shokane has been transferred to the Polokwane High Court, where proceedings are scheduled to run from October 5 to 30, 2026.”
Those accused in the High Court matter remain in custody pending the start of their trial.
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