Rose Mnisi, a hospital cleaner in Lydenburg Hospital, was granted R10K bail after being accused of illegally possessing human tissues.
Credits: Maroela Media
By Duncan Mnisi
Lydenburg – Rose Mnisi, a cleaner at Lydenburg Hospital in Mpumalanga, was granted bail of R10,000 after being caught allegedly trying to sell human placentas. Police found her carrying a plastic bag containing an undisclosed number of placentas during routine patrols.
According to police, Mnisi was hitchhiking in the Nelspruit area when she was stopped and arrested last week. She admitted to working as a cleaner in the maternity ward of the hospital.
Police allege Mnisi was looking for buyers for the placentas and was apprehended following a tip-off. Her case remains under investigation.
Although the exact intended use of the placentas is unknown, authorities suspect they may have been linked to illegal activities involving traditional rituals.
The Mpumalanga Department of Health welcomed the swift police action.
MEC for Health, Sasekani Manzini, praised law enforcement, stating: “The department will continue investigating this case until the end and hopefully bring light to what transpired.”
This is not the first incident involving human body parts in South Africa. Earlier this month, a Mozambican traditional healer appeared in court in Tshwane after police found human remains in his possession.
Investigators believe those parts were linked to violent crimes.
Mnisi faces charges of illegal possession of human tissue. Her case has been postponed to November 4 for further investigation.
In the meantime, the Department of Health has formally suspended her.
