Mpumalanga hospital cleaner arrested for illegal possession of human placentas. Image credit: News24.
(The Post News)- Mpumalanga police have arrested a 39-year-old woman employed as a hospital cleaner after she was allegedly found in possession of human placentas.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli confirmed that the woman, identified as Rose Mnisi, was arrested on Wednesday in Extension 2, Mashishing (formerly Lydenburg), following a community tip-off that she was attempting to sell human body tissue.
According to Mdhluli, police members from the Lydenburg K9 Unit were conducting routine patrols in the area when they received information that a woman was allegedly seeking potential buyers for human body tissue. “The police officers followed up on the information and, based on the suspect’s description, were able to locate a woman carrying a plastic bag along Voortrekker Street. The woman was caught with human tissues,” he said.
Mdhluli added that Mnisi, who works as a cleaner in the maternity ward of a local hospital, was arrested and charged with the illegal possession of human tissue. “The confiscated material has since been sent for forensic analysis,” Mdhuli noted.
According to police, Mnisi was reportedly hitchhiking to Mbombela (Nelspruit) when she was intercepted.
She appeared in the Mashishing District Court on Thursday 18 September 2025, where her case was postponed to September 25 for a formal bail application.
Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner, Major-General Zeph Mkhwanazi, strongly condemned the incident. “This incident once again reflects deep moral decay in society. The police will continue to work with communities in addressing crime,” he said.
Police indicated that while Mnisi is currently facing charges of illegal possession of human tissue, more charges may follow as investigations continue.
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