60 murder for payout cases probed

The murder for insurance payout scourge has prompted police to establish a task team currently investigating over 60 cases, with Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape identified as the epicentre of the deadly syndicates.

- Sipho Mabena

This comes against the backdrop of the arrest of five people, including a school principal and a sergeant, in Limpopo in connection with a R10 million insurance for murder scheme linked to at least 10 murders.

Rachel Kutumela, who was based at Senwabarana police station, is alleged to be the mastermind and most of the payouts were made to her. She would distribute the cash to others.

The accused face 47 charges, including 10 counts of murder, and the scheme operated between 2013 and 2024, until an informer tipped off the police.