Alleged placenta broker granted bail

Rose Mnisi (39), the Mpumalanga hospital worker arrested for allegedly attempting to sell human placentas, has been granted bail of R10,000. She appeared in the Mashishing District Court, and her next hearing is scheduled for 4 November 2025.

Mnisi, a cleaner in Lydenburg Hospital’s maternity ward, was suspended immediately following her arrest. The hospital and Mpumalanga Health Department have launched an internal investigation to establish whether any other staff members were involved.

STOPPED IN TRANSIT

Police said the arrest followed a tip-off about a woman allegedly seeking buyers for human tissue while travelling to Nelspruit. Officers stopped Mnisi and found her carrying a plastic bag containing an unknown number of placentas. The tissues were confiscated and sent for forensic analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.

PEDALLING PLACENTAS

The case has drawn widespread attention due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the alleged crime. Human placentas can hold cultural, sentimental, or medicinal significance, which has contributed to public interest in the matter.

Health MEC Sasekani Manzini commended the police for their swift response and emphasised that anyone else found to be involved will face both criminal and disciplinary action.