Two health officials from Ermelo and Lothair arrested for allegedly being in possession of human body parts
The two suspects, Pascal Mandla Gininda and Sam Jabulani Mnguni, aged 45 and 49, appeared in the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court on 6 July, where they were remanded and the case was postponed to 15 July.
The Mpumalanga Health Department has recently suspended two health officials, after they were arrested for allegedly being in possession of human body parts.
The two officials stationed at Ermelo Hospital and Lothair Clinic were arrested on Sunday 5 July at Elukwatini.
According to Brig Leonard Hlathi, provincial spokesperson for Mpumalanga Police, their arrest spiraled from an intelligence driven operation which prompted police to follow up on information regarding a red sedan which was on its way to Elukwatini with two occupants transporting human body parts.
Brig Hlathi said: “The suspects’ vehicle was intercepted at the Lochiel-Nhlazatshe intersection, where police thoroughly searched the vehicle and discovered a leg, placenta and a knee.”
According to Const Bathobile Khumalo, spokesman for Lothair Police, one of the suspects told the police that there were other body parts at his residence at Silindile Location in Lothair.
She added that members of Lothair Police received a call from members of the Elukwatini Police who needed assistance at Silindile Location.
The two suspects, Pascal Mandla Gininda and Sam Jabulani Mnguni, aged 45 and 49, appeared in the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court on 6 July, where they were remanded and the case was postponed to 15 July.
A case of mutilation of body parts was opened and the body parts were transported to Embhuleni Pathology Services.
The MEC for Health in Mpumalanga, Ms Sasekani Manzini has reacted with shock at the allegations against the health officials.
She said: “We are very shocked and dismayed at the criminal activities that the two officials have allegedly been involved with and such dehumanizing acts are indeed barbaric and as a Department we do not condone such illegal activities.”
Ms Manzini added that the Department will allow the law to take its course whilst they conduct their own internal investigation.
“For now, we have suspended the two officials to allow the police to conduct their investigation without any interference.”
