The Polokwane Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo has granted bail to three of the eight accused in the multi-million-rand insurance-related killings case. Four accused were denied bail. The four who are related, are Thomas Shokane, William Shokane, Robert Shokane and David Kutumela. Johannes Shokane abandoned his bid for bail. The accused face charges of murder, fraud, and money laundering. They allegedly killed nine people to claim insurance payouts totaling about R10 million. They are accused alongside former police Sergeant Rachel Kutumela, her sister Anna Shokane, and
her daughter Flora Shokane, who face similar charges. Magistrate Mpho Hadebe handed judgment in the bail application. “Applicant number five, six, seven and 11 have failed to proof that circumstances that are exceptional exists which the interest of justice permits their release on bail. Applicant number eight, nine and 10 managed to show this court that circumstances do exist and it in the interest of justice to permit their release, bail is therefore, refused for applicant five, six, seven and 11. Bail is therefore, granted
for applicant number eight, nine and 10 on R10 000 each.” Magistrate Hadebe postponed the matter 30 July to allow the state to prepare for the indictment. “ Your matter is postponed to 30 July 2026 for the state to prepare for an indictment so that this matter may then be transferred to the High Court. Accused number five, six, seven and 11 will then be remanded in custody, eight, nine and 10 will then be present in this court at half past eight in
the morning.” VIDEO | Former police Sergeant Rachel Kutumela was denied bail
Limpopo, Polokwane Magistrate’s Court, bail, insurance killings, murder, fraud, money laundering, Rachel Kutumela, Thomas Shokane, William Shokane, Robert Shokane, David Kutumela, Anna Shokane, Flora Shokane, R10 million, 30 July 2026