A South African policewoman, Rachel Kutumela, made her court appearance on Friday, facing severe allegations of murdering six individuals to claim insurance payouts totalling at least 10 million rands (approximately $570,000).
The alleged killings began in 2019 and targeted victims who were reportedly known to her.
Kutumela, 43, stood in the dock of a Polokwane court, located around 300 kilometers (190 miles) northeast of Johannesburg.
She initially obscured her face with a hoodie and mask but was instructed by the court to reveal her identity during the proceedings.
Police officials confirmed that Kutumela was arrested on Thursday while on duty at a police station in Senwabarwana, a small town roughly 90 kilometers from Polokwane.
According to a statement released by the police, the victims were from disadvantaged backgrounds, many of whom were either disabled or mentally challenged.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) detailed that Kutumela is accused of orchestrating the six murders to benefit from funeral and life insurance policies taken out in her victims’ names. The NPA noted that the suspicious deaths began occurring in 2019, with the bodies of the insured individuals being found dumped in various locations.
Notably, one victim, a disabled man, was discovered in a dam, while another victim, a woman, was found burned to death in a shack. NPA provincial spokesperson Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi remarked to local broadcaster ENCA, “This is a premeditated case,” as the court postponed the matter to October 18 for a bail hearing. Prosecutors indicated that they anticipate more arrests in connection with this case.
This incident echoes a similar case from 2021, when former police officer Rosemary Ndlovu was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering five relatives and a boyfriend to cash in on insurance claims. The public remains attentive as the investigation unfolds.
