A South African policewoman was brought to court on Friday on charges of murdering six individuals for insurance payouts totaling at least 10 million rand ($570,000) in a series of killings that began in 2019. The 43-year-old sergeant appeared in a Polokwane court with her face concealed by a hoodie and mask until the court instructed her to reveal herself. Rachel Kutumela was apprehended while on duty at a police station in Senwabarwana, a small town located 55 miles from Polokwane. The victims, according to police, were known to the accused and came from impoverished and disadvantaged backgrounds, with some being disabled or mentally challenged.
Kutumela is accused of six murders and of collecting at least 10 million rand from funeral cost insurance and life policies that she had obtained for her victims. The incidents began in 2019, with the insured individuals being discovered deceased and their bodies dumped in various locations, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The NPA stated that one disabled man’s body was found in a dam, while a woman was found burned to death in a shack. NPA provincial spokeswoman Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi described the case as premeditated and the court postponed the case for a bail hearing on October 18.
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu praised the police for their diligent efforts in apprehending the accused officer. He condemned the heinous nature of the crimes committed, emphasizing the cruelty and lack of regard for human life displayed by someone who took an oath to uphold the law and protect the innocent. South Africa has been previously shocked by a similar case involving former police officer Rosemary Ndlovu, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering five family members and a boyfriend to profit from insurance claims. Ndlovu was exposed after an individual she hired to kill her sister reported the plan to the authorities.
South Africa, with a population of 62 million, recorded 12,734 homicides in the first half of this year, averaging more than 70 per day, according to official police crime statistics. The country continues to grapple with high levels of violence and crime, with cases like these highlighting the need for justice and reform within law enforcement to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law.
