POLOKWANE – A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with an alleged R10 million insurance fraud scheme that resulted in the deaths of nine civilians, police confirmed on Tuesday.
The 54-year-old male suspect, who is the brother of former police officer Rachel Kutumela, was apprehended at approximately 11:00 in Molejie outside Seshego. He is expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, facing charges of murder, fraud, and money laundering.
The arrest comes as the high-profile case involving Kutumela, her sister Anna Shokane (47), and daughter Florah Shokane (23) continues to unfold. The three women have been in custody since last year and face a combined 32 charges, including murder, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice.
According to authorities, the accused allegedly benefited from R10 million worth of fraudulent insurance claims following the deaths of nine civilians. The case has now been transferred from the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court to the Polokwane High Court.
During previous bail proceedings, the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court ruled that Kutumela, her sister, and daughter posed a significant risk of interfering with state witnesses if released. The court’s decision was based on concerns about potential witness tampering and the severity of the allegations.
Initially, Kutumela had applied for bail independently while her co-accused indicated they were not ready to proceed with their own applications. However, she ultimately abandoned her bail application after being cross-examined by the prosecution.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the investigation remains active, with the latest arrest demonstrating law enforcement’s continued efforts to uncover the full extent of the alleged criminal network.
The case has experienced multiple postponements, but with the transfer to the High Court and the arrest of the fourth suspect, proceedings are expected to gain momentum. The matter involving the three original accused was scheduled to resume Tuesday in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court before the transfer to the higher court.
