Insurance murders: Fourth accused faces mental health check
Johannes Shokane has been sent for psychiatric observation, joining his three relatives accused of multiple murders for insurance payouts.
POLOKEWANE – Johannes Shokane, a relative of the accused in the high-profile R10m insurance murder case, appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court last Thursday.
His appearance follows several bail postponements for mental health assessments since his arrest in November.
Shokane was arrested in Moletjie and has been added as accused number four in the case alongside his sisters – former police officer Rachel Kutumela, Anna Shokane, and his niece Flora Shokane. The four face a total of 25 charges, including murder, premeditated murder, fraud, money laundering and obstruction of justice.
According to NPA regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, Shokane is said to have participated in the murders of multiple victims, including Sydney Montsha, Joyce Malesa, Jacob Seakamela, Strydom Ruiters and Andrew Makgarietsa.
The killings were reportedly premeditated, with police alleging that Shokane and his relatives benefitted financially from insurance policies taken out in the victims’ names.
“The payouts were made by multiple service providers, including Absa, Standard Bank, Capitec, Hollard, Assupol and Old Mutual,” Malabi-Dzhangi added.
Shokane is represented by adv Mukoma Maiwashe, who also represents Anna Shokane in the same matter.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Maiwashe requested a postponement to allow for further consultations and asked that Shokane be sent for a mental observation under Section 77 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
“I request the matter be postponed for an inquiry to take place. We need to assess if my client is fit to stand trial mentally,” Maiwashe told the court.
The court granted the request, postponing the matter to March 5 at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court. Shokane remains in custody ahead of the trial, which is scheduled to run from October 5-30 in the Polokwane High Court.
