NELSPRUIT: A female cleaner at a local hospital in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, was arrested for alleged possession of human placentas and is remanded in custody while the police continue the investigation into the origin of these vital human organs that develop in the uterus during pregnancy.
The suspect, identified as Rose Mnisi (38), briefly appeared in the Mashishing District Court on Thursday, 18 September, following her arrest the previous day, Wednesday.
Brig. Donald Mdhluli, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga police, said the case was postponed for a bail application and further investigation. He said the woman is charged with illegal possession of human tissues.
“Mnisi was allegedly seeking potential buyers for the human body tissue. She was apprehended in Extension 2, Mashishing. The contents of the bag were confiscated for forensic analysis, and the police cannot rule out the possibility of additional charges as the investigation continues,” said Mdhluli.
He said members from the Lydenburg K9 Unit reported they were conducting routine patrols in the area when they received a tip-off regarding a woman allegedly seeking potential buyers for human body tissues.
“The police officers followed up on the information about the suspect’s description. They were able to locate a woman carrying a plastic bag along Voortrekker Street in Mashishing (Lydenburg). Upon being approached, the woman was found in possession of human tissues and was arrested,” said Mdhluli.
He said the suspect was reportedly hitchhiking en route to Nelspruit where she was spotted.
“The woman confirmed that she is a cleaner in the maternity ward at a local hospital upon her arrest,” said Mdhluli.
He said the acting provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major Gen. Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed the arrest of the woman and has applauded members of the public for providing the helpful information to the police.
