The South African Police Service (SAPS) has arrested yet another of their own. General Fannie Masemola announced the arrest of a 43-year-old Sergeant attached to a police station in Limpopo, for six insurance fraud related murders.
The Sergeant was arrested following a lengthy investigation by Captain Keshi Mabunda on allegations that she was fraudulently benefiting from funeral, accidental and life policy covers from various banks and insurance companies.
According to investigations, she began her killing spree 2019. A statement from SAPS noted that her victims were known to her and were from disadvantaged backgrounds and some were mentally or physically disabled. It is alleged the Segreant would take out life insurance policies and funeral cover on behalf of the victims and would list herself as the beneficiary. Evidence shows she pocketed at least R10 million from her crimes.
Following months of investigation, the investigating team obtained a warrant of arrest, and the Sergeant was arrested while on duty at her station in Limpopo.
National Commissioner of Police General Masemola stated the involvement of a police officer in such heinous crimes was 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 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,” said General Masemola.
The Sergeant is expected to appear before the Polokwane District Court on six counts of murder and about seventeen cases of fraud on Friday, 11 October 2024.
Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu commended the outstanding work of the investigators following the arrest. He further commended Captain Keshi Mabunda for his exceptional work in dismantling insurance fraud syndicates.
“I want to take this moment to commend Captain Mabunda and his team for their tireless and meticulous work in bringing this rogue officer to justice. Their dedication to the rule of law and the protection of our citizens is an embodiment of the integrity we expect from the SAPS,” said Minister Mchunu.
The Minister further reiterated his department’s stance on corruption within the SAPS, saying, “I must strongly condemn, in the clearest possible terms, any acts of corruption, criminality, or betrayal by members of the police service. This arrest serves as a stark reminder that there is no place in the SAPS for officers who abuse their position of authority for personal gain or engage in unlawful conduct.”
“We will root out corruption and criminality from within the ranks of SAPS. Any police officer found to be involved in crime will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We will not tolerate such conduct, and we will continue to work tirelessly to restore the public’s confidence in our police service,” said the Minister.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Police, Ian Cameron, also commended SAPS for the arrest of the sergeant.
“The committee has always maintained that high moral and ethical standards should be maintained within the SAPS. Any officer that undermines the code of conduct that they undertook to uphold must be surgically removed from the service without delay,” Cameron stated. Cameron further said the arrest was an indication of the presence of hard working and efficient detectives who have undertaken intensive investigations that yield positive results.
In a statement, the committee noted it is hopeful the arrest will discourage police officers from breaking the very laws they are entrusted to uphold.
“We have seen a general increase in the arrest of rogue police officers by both the SAPS and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate which assures us that there is a commitment to holding everyone accountable,” said Cameron.
Mabundu also cracked the case of the now-convicted murderer, Rosemary Ndlovu, whose modus operandi followed a similar pattern. Ndlovu was a policewoman before being convicted of the deaths of six people – her live-in partner and five of her relatives – between 2012 and 2018.
