LIMPOPO – Six suspects appeared briefly in the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday in connection with an alleged insurance fraud scheme involving nine murders and claims totalling approximately R10 million.
Masephe Thomas Shokane, William Shokane, Mmakoena David Kutumela, Masepe Damaris Selepe, Mojeri Benedictor Mataba and Martha Iris Ruiters face multiple charges including nine counts of murder, money laundering, receiving proceeds of unlawful activities and fraud.
The six accused, who are from Moletjie Makgofe and Sebokeng, were arrested on 10 March and will remain in custody until 25 March.
The matter was postponed to allow for the profiling of the accused and for Ruiters and Selepe to secure legal representation.
The Shokane brothers are the siblings of former Senwabarwana Police Station officer Rachel Raesetsa Shokane Kutumela and Annah Shokane, and the uncles of Madjadji Flora Shokane. David Kutumela is Rachel Kutumela’s husband.
The State alleges 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 before claiming payouts.
The payouts were allegedly made by several financial institutions and insurance companies, 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 trial of Rachel Kutumela, Annah Shokane and Madjadji Shokane has been transferred to the Polokwane High Court, where proceedings are scheduled to run from 5 to 30 October. The three accused remain in custody pending the commencement of the trial.
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