A 39-year-old woman, identified as Rose Mnisi, was arrested in Mashishing on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, after being found in possession of human tissues, confirmed to be placentas. The suspect, who is employed as a cleaner in the maternity ward of a local hospital, made her first court appearance the following day.
The arrest was initiated after members of the Lydenburg K9 Unit, while conducting routine patrols in the Extension 2 area of Mashishing, received a credible tip-off. The information indicated that a woman was attempting to find potential buyers for human body tissues and was reportedly hitchhiking en route to Nelspruit.
Acting on the provided description, police officers located a woman matching the details along Voortrekker Street. She was carrying a plastic bag, which upon inspection, was found to contain human tissues. The woman confirmed to the police that she is employed as a cleaner in the hospital’s maternity ward.
The suspect was immediately apprehended and the contents of the bag were confiscated for forensic analysis. She has been charged with the illegal possession of human tissues.
Police spokesperson Captain Malose Langa stated that the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges have not been ruled out. “We are following all leads to understand the full extent of this incident and whether there are any other individuals involved,” said Capt. Langa.
Mnisi appeared at the Mashishing District Court on Thursday, 18 September 2025. The case was postponed to 25 September 2025 to allow for further investigation and for a formal bail application. The suspect remains in custody.
