Two health officials, one stationed at Ermelo Hospital and and the other at Lothair Clinic have been suspended by the Mpumalanga Department of Health.
The suspension came after their arrest by the South African Police Services (SAPS) for allegedly being in possession of human body parts.
The police arrested the 45 year old Jabulani Sam Mnguni and 49 year old Pascal Mandla Ginindza on the 05th of July 2020 at about 6pm.
Their arrest spiraled from an Intelligence Driven Operation which prompted police to follow up on an information regarding a red sedan which was on its way to Elukwatini with two occupants conveying human body parts.
The suspects’ vehicle was intercepted at the Lochiel-Nhlazatshe intersection where police thoroughly searched it and discovered a leg, placenta and a knee which was separately collected from a certain house.
The discovery sparked an investigation on the matter which police are following the trail of events to uncover where these parts were taken from.
Both suspects appeared at the Eerstehoek Magistrate Court on 6 July 2020 and were remanded in custody pending further investigations.
The police also reported that the third person was taken in for questioning.
MEC for Health in Mpumalanga, Ms Sasekani Manzini has reacted with shock at the allegations of the duo’s criminal acts.
“We are very shocked and dismayed at the criminal activities that the two officials have allegedly been involved with.
Such dehumanizing acts are indeed barbaric and as a Department we do not condone such illegal activities.
We shall allow the law to take its course whilst we as a Department conduct our own internal investigation.
For now, we have suspended the two officials to allow the SAPS to conduct their investigation without any interference. ” closed MEC Manzini.
