"Rogue" policewoman accused of murdering 6 people for insurance payouts in South Africa

A South African policewoman appeared in court Friday on allegations of murdering six people for insurance payouts worth at least 10 million rand ($570,000) in killings that started in 2019.

The 43-year-old sergeant stood in the dock of a court in Polokwane, about 190 miles northeast of Johannesburg, with her face entirely covered by a hoodie and mask until she was told by the court to show herself.

Rachel Kutumela was arrested Thursday while on duty at a police station in the small town of Senwabarwana about 55 miles from Polokwane, police said in a statement.