Authorities in South Africa have arrested a 39-year-old hospital cleaner after she was found in possession of human placentas in Mashishing, Mpumalanga.
The suspect, identified as Rose Mnisi, was allegedly carrying a plastic bag containing the tissue when she was intercepted by members of the Lydenburg K9 Unit along Voortrekker Street.
According to police, the arrest followed a tip-off from concerned members of the public who reported that a woman was allegedly selling human body parts and travelling toward Nelspruit.
Officers swiftly acted on the intelligence, stopping and searching the suspect before recovering the human tissue.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli confirmed that the placentas have been sent for forensic analysis to determine their origin, while investigators are looking into whether the suspect was operating alone or as part of a wider network.
Acting Provincial Commissioner Major-General Zeph Mkhwanazi praised the public for their vigilance and commended the swift police response, noting that such incidents raise serious ethical and safety concerns.
Mnisi appeared before the Mashishing District Court, where she was charged with illegal possession of human tissue. The case has been postponed to 25 September 2025 as investigations continue, and additional charges could follow.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for tighter hospital oversight and stricter controls on the handling and disposal of human tissue to prevent misuse and protect public health.
By Michelle Ndaga
