Cape Town – The Limpopo sergeant who was arrested this week in connection with the murders of six people in the province appeared briefly in the Polokwane district court on Friday, 11 October.
Police sergeant Raesetja Shokane, 43, is accused of killing the six people for R10 million in insurance payouts. The case has been postponed to 18 October 2024, reports the Limpopo Chronicle.
She is facing 19 charges, including murder, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice.
𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗦 𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗗
The case against Police sergeant Raesetja Shokane who is accused of killing 6 people for R10 Million insurance payouts has been postponed to 18 October 2024.
The 43-year-old appeared at the Polokwane… pic.twitter.com/2BB1yhE8ED
— Limpopo Chronicle (@LimChronicle) October 11, 2024
IOL reported earlier that the 43-year-old sergeant was arrested at Senwabarwana Police Station on Thursday morning.
[BREAKING NEWS] A female police officer has been arrested at the Senwabarwana Police Station in Limpopo. It’s alleged that she orchestrated multiple murders to benefit from insurance claims and payouts. Newzroom Afrika’s @sholwana_z reports.
Watch: https://t.co/387vMqJ4Ir… pic.twitter.com/wlsggMJbrE
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 10, 2024
It is alleged the first victim was killed five years ago.
“Her victims were known to her and were from destitute and disadvantaged background and some were disabled or mentally challenged,” said national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
Mathe said the suspect allegedly took out life policy and funeral covers on the victims’ behalf for which she would be the beneficiary.
The Citizen reported that national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has welcomed the arrest and called the involvement of police in “such heinous crimes” a “disgrace”.
While Police Minister Senzo Mchunu commended the work of Captain Keshi Mabunda, whose investigation led to the arrest, he also strongly condemned “in the clearest possible terms, any acts of corruption, criminality, or betrayal by members of the police service”.
“Such cruelty and disregard for human life is utterly reprehensible, and it is all the more shocking when perpetrated by someone sworn to uphold the law and protect the innocent,” Mchunu said.
“This arrest serves as a stark reminder that there is no place in the SAPS for officers who abuse their position of authority for personal gain or engage in unlawful conduct. Such actions not only harm innocent lives but also erode the trust that the public places in law enforcement.
“Let me be unequivocal: we will root out corruption and criminality from within the ranks of SAPS. Any police officer found to be involved in crime will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We will not tolerate such conduct, and we will continue to work tirelessly to restore the public’s confidence in our police service,” Mchunu said.
This is not the first time a police officer has been linked to crimes of this nature.
Former police offer Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu is currently serving six life sentences for orchestrating the murder of relatives to benefit from their life insurance payouts.
Read more in African Insider.
She is currently on trial in a separate case for allegedly plotting to kill the ex-husband of a friend, reports eNCA.
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