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Limpopo insurance murders: Sergeant had five luxury vehicles

Sgt Rachel Raesetja Kutumela (43), dubbed Rosemary 2.0 by the public, appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court this morning on multiple charges.

POLOKWANE – The policewoman arrested for six insurance fraud murders made a brief, dramatic appearance before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court this morning.

Sgt Rachel Raesetja Kutumela (43), a Senwabarwana police station officer, is charged with 11 counts of fraud, six counts of premeditated murder and two counts of defeating the ends of justice between 2019 and 2024.

She appeared in court covering her face but was asked to reveal her face after applications by the media to follow the case were approved.

Photo: Koketso Sekhwela

Kutumela, dubbed Rosemary 2.0 by the public, was arrested on Thursday following a lengthy investigation by Captain Keshi Mabunda on allegations that she fraudulently benefited from funeral, accidental and life police cover from various banks and insurance companies.

Read more: Female Limpopo sergeant linked to 6 insurance fraud murders

Her alleged crimes are similar to those of Rosemary Ndlovu, a former policewoman who was found guilty for the death of six people between 2012 and 2018, who also benefited from life policies.

Mabunda is renowned for his exceptional work in dismantling insurance fraud syndicates and was responsible for Ndlovu’s case as well.

Family members of the deceased victims told the Polokwane Observer that Kutumela owned two Range Rovers, a Land Cruiser, a BMW 3 Series and a Mercedes Benz.

Among family present was Mamoloko Machabela, a relative of a disabled man whose body was found dumped in a river near Ga-Mashashane.

Mabunda is stern that Kutumela insured her alleged victims and cashed out over R10m and reports from reliable sources in court suggest the amount is well over R15m.

The case has been postponed to October 18 for the application of bail.

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Raeesa Sempe

Raeesa Sempe is a Caxton Award-winning Digital Editor with nine years’ experience in the industry. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand and started her journey as a community journalist for the Polokwane Review in 2015. She then became the online journalist for the Review in 2016 where she excelled in solidifying the Review’s digital footprint through Facebook lives, content creation and marketing campaigns. Raeesa then moved on to become the News Editor of the Bonus Review in 2019 and scooped up the Editorial Employee of the Year award in the same year. She is the current Digital Editor of the Polokwane Review-Observer, a position she takes pride in. Raeesa is married with one child and enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music and baking – when she has the time. “I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon." – Tom Stoppard

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