Hospital cleaner suspended after authorities seize placentas
Rose Mnisi (39), a Mpumalanga hospital worker, was suspended after police arrested her for allegedly attempting to sell human placentas.
A Mpumalanga hospital worker has been suspended after police arrested her for allegedly attempting to sell human placentas.
Rose Mnisi (39) appeared in court on Thursday, facing charges of illegal possession of human tissue. The court postponed the case to 25 September for further investigation and a bail hearing.
PEDALLING PLACENTAS
Police reported that Mnisi was stopped following a tip-off that a woman was trying to sell human placentas while hitchhiking to Nelspruit. Officers found her carrying a plastic bag containing an unknown number of placentas.
Mnisi admitted she worked as a cleaner in the Lydenburg Hospital maternity ward, and authorities seized the bag for forensic analysis.
Mpumalanga Health MEC Sasekani Manzini commended the police for their quick response and confirmed that the department has launched an investigation.
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.