The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo has arrested a police woman who allegedly killed six people for insurance money.
This is reminiscent of the case of former police officer and convicted serial killer Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu, who orchestrated the murders of loved ones for payouts on insurance policies.
The National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, has welcomed the arrest of a Sergeant aged 43, attached to a police station in Limpopo.
The sergeant is expected to appear before the Polokwane District Court on six counts of murder and about 17 cases of fraud.
The on-duty sergeant was arrested on Thursday morning following a lengthy investigation by Captain Keshi Mabunda into allegations that she was fraudulently benefiting from funeral, accidental, and life policy covers from various banks and insurance companies.
According to investigations, she started her killing spree in 2019. Her victims were known to her and were from destitute and disadvantaged backgrounds and some were disabled or mentally challenged.
She would take out life policy and funeral covers on their behalf and she would be the beneficiary.
Police said 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.
Masemola said the involvement of one of their own in such heinous crimes is a disgrace.
“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. She abused her powers by insuring those who trusted her. This should serve as a strong warning to all involved that the long arm of the law will ultimately find and catch you,“ said Masemola.
Police also urged insurance companies to be extra vigilant and aware of such criminal activities.
“We are working closely with insurance companies broadly. We have said they must watch their claim systems to detect if people are frequently cashing in on funeral policies or insurance. We say to insurance companies, if you detect any fraud-related activity, we are here. We have established a team that is dealing with such cases led by Captain Mabunda,” said National SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
Momentum Group head of Reputation, Aneke Hanekom, speaking on “Newzroom Afrika”, said recent statistics from the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) indicated that there were 9 000 fraud cases that they prevented, which to her, is a high number.
“All insurance companies have processes in place to prevent fraud; for example, there are triggers when something unusual happens. So any death claim after an insurance policy was taken out is pretty much looked at to see if there is anything untoward. We check, was there really a body at a mortuary, and sometimes there was no body at the morgue. You also check, did the doctor who signed the death certificate see the body?” said Hanekom.
The Star