A Mpumalanga hospital worker has been suspended after being arrested for allegedly trying to sell human placentas.
Rose Mnisi (39) appeared in court on Thursday, facing charges of illegal possession of human tissue. The case was postponed to 25 September for further investigation and a bail application.
PEDALLING PLACENTAS
Police said Mnisi was stopped after a tip-off that a woman was seeking buyers while hitchhiking to Nelspruit. She was found carrying a plastic bag with an unknown number of human placentas. Mnisi admitted to working as a cleaner in the Lydenburg Hospital’s maternity ward, and the bag was seized for forensic analysis.
Mpumalanga Health MEC Sasekani Manzini praised the police’s swift action and confirmed that a departmental investigation is underway.
Confirming Mnisi’s suspension, Manzini said, “Any other person or employee who will be found to have taken part in this incident will be charged accordingly.”
Past placenta disputes
Placentas are believed by some to carry medicinal or sentimental value. In 2021, actress Khabonina Qubeka took legal action against a hospital for discarding her placenta against her wishes.
