Limpopo insurance murders: Victim’s family speaks out

POLOKWANE – Jane Seakamela, the sister of Jacob Petrus Seakamela, has shared shocking details of alleged insurance fraud and deceit following her brother’s death in 2022.

Seakamela told BONUS that her brother’s funeral was overshadowed by suspicious behaviour from Sgt Rachel Kutumela, a police officer from Moletjie, Makgofe, and her close friend – the mother of Jacob’s child and his former partner.

“Insurance investigators showed us a fake family letter stating that my late brother was traditionally married to Kutumela’s friend just days after his burial,” Jane explained. “The letter was used to claim money from a funeral policy we didn’t even know existed.”

Seakamela recounted how their elderly mother’s signature was forged using a Christian cross, as the mother was illiterate. The family contacted the Seshego police, who confirmed that multiple policies had been taken out in Jacob’s name, allowing Kutumela to withdraw large sums of money.

Adding to the family’s unease, Jane noted that Kutumela had informed them about the availability of her brother’s post mortem results before any official notification. “She said, ‘because I’m a police officer, I know these things’,” Jane recalled.

Kutumela’s involvement in this case is part of a larger investigation into a series of suspicious deaths and fraudulent insurance claims amounting to over R10m.

She appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Friday alongside her daughter, Flora Modjadji Shokane (27), and sister, Annah Raesetja Shokane (47), a nurse. Together, the three face nearly 50 charges, including fraud, money laundering, premeditated murder, and obstructing justice.

Read more: Insurance murders: Rachel Kutumela’s daughter and sister arrested

According to Jane, the family grew more suspicious after Kutumela and her friend offered to cover Jacob’s funeral costs and insisted on obtaining his death certificate and ID. “They weren’t related to us, and my brother’s ex had long separated from him. My mother was touched by their generosity, but I kept wondering what they had to gain,” Jane said.

Kutumela’s pattern of inserting herself into funeral arrangements apparently extended to other victims. A police investigation revealed that Kutumela and two accomplices targeted former lovers, profiting from their deaths through fraudulent claims.

You might also want to read: Rachel Kutumela stripped of service badges after insurance murders

One such victim was Noko Montja, an ex-lover of Kutumela, who had become disabled and relied on his niece for care. After the niece grew comfortable with Kutumela, she left her uncle in the officer’s care. Soon after, Montja disappeared, and his body was later discovered in the Mashashane River, with a scar on his back.

Another suspicious death involved a woman from Moletjie, who burned to death in a shack. As in previous cases, Kutumela is said to have offered to cover the burial expenses.

Kutumela, her daughter, and sister are believed to have benefitted significantly from the scheme, driving luxury vehicles, including two Range Rovers, a BMW, a Mercedes-Benz, and a Land Cruiser.

Read more: Limpopo insurance murders: Sergeant had five luxury vehicles

Following her arrest at the Senwabarwana Police Station, two key witnesses were taken in for questioning. The witnesses are believed to be connected to two additional deaths, involving former partners of the accomplices recruited by Kutumela.

The family of another victim expressed disbelief at the unfolding events.

Dimakatso Machaba, the niece of Noko Montja, said, “She was so kind to my uncle. She bought him groceries and handled his grant card. I never imagined she could be involved in such terrible acts.”

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, confirmed that more arrests are likely as the investigation continues. The three accused are scheduled to appear for bail hearings on October 30, 31, and November 1, following a postponement due to the merging of cases.

“This is a deeply troubling case that has exposed a web of fraud, deceit, and betrayal,” Malabi-Dzhangi stated.