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The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
Limpopo insurance murders: Officer testifies to witness tampering
In the ongoing bail proceedings of Rachel Kutumela and her sister Anna Shokane, investigating officer Captain Keshi Mabunda testified that the pair were denied bail due to alleged interference with ongoing investigations. According to Polokwane Review, Mabunda resumed his cross-examination this week following a postponement on July 2. He told the court that both Kutumela and Shokane had previously communicated with state witnesses during Kutumela's earlier detention at Polokwane SAPS. 'When Kutumela was arrested, she used her defence's cellphone to contact witnesses. Once we discovered they were interfering with witnesses, they abandoned their bail bid,' he said. Kutumela's legal representative Adv Moses Manthata, meanwhile, alleged that her constitutional rights were violated during the arrest. Mabunda refuted this, stating that the arresting officers acted within the law. 'She was arrested by officers from Bochum SAPS and taken to Polokwane SAPS. She had no visible injuries. Her rights were respected,' he told the court. Mabunda also told the court that he blacklisted the accused from taking out any more insurance policies. However, this reportedly did not deter them from influencing others to do so on their behalf. He alleged that a key witness, Benedictor Mothata, was persuaded by the accused to open a policy on her ex-husband, despite being unemployed. 'They offered to pay her monthly premiums. When they found out she was giving a statement to police, Anna Shokane hired a lawyer for her and tried to get her to change her statement, claiming it was made under duress,' said Mabunda. The court was shown bank transfer evidence from Flora Shokane to Mothata's account, which was later used to debit premiums by an insurance company. The case continued today in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court. The court outcome was not known at the time of publishing. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The Star
04-05-2025
- The Star
Police make significant arrest of robbery syndicate in Polokwane
In a breakthrough against rising crime, police have arrested five suspects — including a foreign national — believed to be behind a spate of bold and violent robberies that have gripped Polokwane's central business district. Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba stated that several businesses in Polokwane were targeted in armed robberies, with cash stolen, between March and April. "It is reported that between March and April 2025, Polokwane was experiencing an increase in business robberies daily, wherein the shopkeepers and customers were robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash and cellphones at gunpoint." He added that detectives traced the suspects to the Ga-Makibela section and Moletjie village under the Seshego policing area, where three suspects were arrested. They then moved to Polokwane CBD, where the fourth suspect was apprehended. The suspects later led officers to Ext 75 in the Westernburg policing area, where a black pellet firearm, resembling a real firearm and believed to have been used in the robberies, was recovered Ledwaba further stated that during interviews at Polokwane SAPS, it became clear that the suspects were involved in multiple robberies targeting three food outlets, two supermarkets, several pharmacies, a bakery, and a boutique, leading to the apprehension of a fifth suspect. "Further investigations led the team to Polokwane, where a Zimbabwean national, who was found in possession of three stolen cellphones and was subsequently arrested," he added. The recovered cellphones and pellet firearm, loaded with four blank rounds, were seized. Preliminary investigations revealed that some of the stolen cellphones had already been sent to Zimbabwe. Ledwaba added that a case of possession of suspected stolen property has been opened, and the four other arrested suspects have been positively linked to nine business robbery cases. All five suspects are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on May 5, facing charges of business robbery and possession of suspected stolen property. Acting provincial commissioner of Limpopo, Major General Manala, praised the initiative and dedication of the police team. 'We commend the involved team for their tireless efforts in restoring safety and ensuring that the perpetrators are behind bars,' Manala remarked, reaffirming the province's commitment to tackling the rising tide of crime head-on. The Star [email protected]
