Authorities in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province say a 39-year-old hospital cleaner, Rose Mnisi, was caught with a plastic bag filled with human placentas. She was stopped during a routine patrol while hitchhiking from Lydenburg (Mashishing) to Nelspruit.
Police explained that the arrest followed a tip-off to security officers, who quickly alerted patrol units. When officers approached her, they reportedly found the bag of placentas. Mnisi allegedly confirmed that she works in the maternity ward of a local hospital, raising serious questions about how she obtained the tissues.
The confiscated body parts have now been sent for forensic testing to determine their number and source. Investigators say they are looking into every angle, as the motive behind her possession of the placentas remains unclear.
Mnisi has already appeared in court, facing charges of illegal possession of human tissue, and will return next month for a bail hearing. Authorities note that more charges could follow as the investigation deepens.
Some reports link such cases to ritual practices. In parts of South Africa, there are beliefs that consuming placenta tissue may help new mothers, though experts insist there is no medical evidence. The case has also reignited fears about body parts being used for “muti” rituals, a practice that has been tied to past killings.
Police have urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity, stressing that the trade or possession of human body parts is a serious crime under South African law.
