The Mpumalanga Department of Health has suspended a 39-year-old cleaner from Lydenburg Hospital after she was arrested for being found in possession of human placentas, reports IOL.
The woman was picked up by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mashishing last week while apparently trying to dump the placentas on the side of the road.
Rose Mnisi has since appeared in court and is in custody.
Mpumalanga Health MEC Sasekani Manzini said a departmental probe was under way, and confirmed that while the employee remains in custody, she will still be formally served with her suspension letter.
Mnisi faces charges of illegal possession of human tissue, and SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli told News24 that police could not rule out the possibility of further charges, and that the case has been postponed to 25 September 2025 for further investigation and a bail application.
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