POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – A South African police sergeant appeared in court Friday, accused of orchestrating a series of murders for insurance payouts totaling at least 10 million rand (approximately $570,000). The accused, 43-year-old Rachel Kutumela, is alleged to have initiated these crimes in 2019.
Appearing in a Polokwane court, approximately 190 miles northeast of Johannesburg, Kutumela initially obscured her face with a hoodie and mask, only revealing herself upon the court’s request. She was apprehended Thursday while on duty in Senwabarwana, a small town around 55 miles from Polokwane.
Authorities allege that Kutumela targeted individuals familiar to her from vulnerable backgrounds, including some who were disabled or mentally challenged. According to official statements, she stands accused of six murders, for which she collected significant payouts from funeral and life insurance policies she had arranged for her victims.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) disclosed that the victims were discovered dead under suspicious circumstances, with one disabled man’s body found in a dam and a woman burned to death in a shack. NPA spokeswoman Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi emphasized the calculated nature of the crimes, pointing to premeditation.
This case has been postponed to October 18 for a bail hearing, with prosecutors hinting at potential additional arrests in connection to these crimes.
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu praised the police for their diligent investigation, condemning the brutal nature of the acts attributed to a member of law enforcement. Mchunu expressed shock and disgust over the betrayal of public trust by someone sworn to protect citizens.
This case bears striking similarities to that of Rosemary Ndlovu, a former police officer sentenced to life imprisonment in 2021 after being convicted of murdering five relatives and a boyfriend for insurance money. Ndlovu’s plot unraveled when an associate she hired turned to the police.
South Africa continues to grapple with a high incidence of violent crime, with official statistics indicating 12,734 homicides recorded in the first half of this year alone, translating to more than 70 murders daily.