Following a lengthy investigation conducted by Captain Keshi Mabunda, Limpopo police arrested a 43-year-old on-duty Sergeant attached to one of the local police stations in Limpopo.
The female sergeant was arrested on allegations of killing six people and fraudulently benefiting from funeral, accidental, and life insurance policies from various banks and insurance companies.
She’s currently facing six counts of murder and about seventeen cases of fraud. She is scheduled to appear before the Polokwane District Court on Friday, 11 October 2024.
According to police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the investigation revealed that the arrested sergeant “started her killing spree in 2019 and her victims were known to her and were from destitute and disadvantaged backgrounds and some were disabled or mentally challenged.”
Brigadier Mathe also disclosed that following the commission of the killings, the sergeant would take out life insurances and funeral covers for her victims, assigning herself as the beneficiary.
“She is currently linked to about six insurance related murders and evidence shows she has pocketed at least R10 million. Following months of investigation, the investigating team obtained a warrant of arrest. The warrant was executed at the police station where she was arrested,” Mathe said.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service(SAPS), General Fannie Masemola has welcomed the arrest and further stated that the involvement of SAPS members on such heinous crimes is ignominious.
“As a police officer you are entrusted with the safety and security of communities. For a police officer entrusted with such a great responsibility to be involved in such acts is an absolute disgrace,” said Gen Masemola.
“She abused her powers by insuring those that trusted her. This must send a strong warning to all involved that the long arm of the law will find you and catch you,” he added.
Life insurance fraud has been in the spotlight since the harrowing case of former policewoman Rosemary Ndlovu, who was sentenced to life in prison for orchestrating the murders of six family members between 2012 and 2018 to reap insurance payouts.
Earlier this year, Sowetanlive reported that in 2022, life insurers and investment companies identified approximately 8,931 cases of fraud and dishonesty, resulting in losses of about R77 million.
