On the last day of their bail hearing at the Polokwane Magistrates Court, the three women accused in the notorious insurance crime case they abandoned the bail application. That decision came despite defense claims that the state’s case was weak.

At the hearing, the charges against the accused were increased to include three additional counts of premeditated murder, bringing the total to nine.

The main accused, Sergeant Raesetsa Rachel Kutumela, a police officer from Senwabarwana, faced intense scrutiny on 32 chargesincluding financial fraud involving over 20 million lei from life, accident and funeral insurance policies.

Kutumela admitted that he benefited financially as the sole beneficiary of these policies, sharing the proceeds with her sister, Anna Shokane, and her daughter, Modjadji Flora Shokane.

Among the new charges is the alleged murder of Strydom Reuters in 2019, from which Kutumela allegedly earned R1.5 million by falsely claiming to be her husband.

This revelation came as a shock, especially since Reuters was allegedly involved with Anna, and the family of the deceased denied knowing the sisters.

The hearing also included emotional testimony from Benedictor Mojeri Mataba, who claimed she was intimidated and abused by police during her questioning over the death of her ex-husband, another victim linked to Kutumela.

Mataba described a traumatic encounter with the police, accusing them of threats and verbal abuse.

The accused, who face charges of money laundering, fraud and multiple counts of premeditated murder, have been remanded in custody.

Their next court appearance is scheduled for February 7 as investigations continue.