Latest news with #ChanellePlaatjies
IOL News
02-07-2025
- IOL News
Chanelle Plaatjies murder: Suspects abandon bail bid amid ongoing investigation
The distraught Plaatjies' family previously asked for the police not to drag the case as they did with the slain 4-year-old Mia Botha's case. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers The three men accused of murdering 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies have abandoned their bail application and will remain in custody until their next court appearance. Keaton Johnson, 19, Bradley Mamani, 25, and Theodore Qatha, 31, appeared in the Paarl Magistrate's Court on Tuesday facing charges relating to the brutal murder of the teenage girl from Paarl East. They first appeared in court on June 20. Johnson was reportedly the teenager's boyfriend. Plaatjies went missing on May 14. After a desperate two-week search by her family and community, human remains were discovered in a wooded area about a kilometre from her home, but DNA tests had to confirm it was her body that was dug out of the shallow grave. Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk said: "Be advised that the DNA results were received and confirmed that the body of a female discovered buried in the woods in Paarl East near to prison is indeed 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies." Chanelle Plaatjies Image: Facebook According to the charge sheet, the accused are charged with premeditated murder. The State alleges that 'the accused did unlawfully and intentionally kill Chanelle by strangling her and burying her body in a shallow grave'. The charge falls under Part I of Schedule 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, which deals with aggravated forms of murder, including killings committed as part of a group, conspiracy, or with premeditation. As such, if convicted, the accused face a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. Action Society spokesperson, Kaylynn Palm, who was present at court on Tuesday, confirmed that one of the accused had initially considered applying for bail but later withdrew the application. All three ultimately abandoned their bids and remain in custody. 'Action Society is at Paarl Magistrate's Court for the murder case of Chanelle Plaatjies. Three people were arrested, including the boyfriend, and they appeared in court. On Tuesday, all of them abandoned their bail,' said Palm. She added that the State informed the court that several investigative reports were still outstanding. 'According to the State, outstanding items include the DNA report, soil analysis, and toxicology report,' Palm said. She also noted that the accused alleged mistreatment while in custody. 'They complained that they were roughed up by the wardens and were apparently injured, but they didn't produce any evidence of that.' Palm said Action Society will keep an eye on the future court proceedings. The matter has been postponed to August 1, 2025, for further investigation. Plaatjies' family previously asked for the police not to drag the case as they did with the slain 4-year-old Mia Botha's case. "We would like to request that the police keep the investigating officer and not hand the case over to other officers, as they did with the Mia case. The detective was very good and thorough when my sister went missing. "We don't want to find ourselves years from now asking questions about Chanelle's cold case. This is our only request to the police." Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
IOL News
02-07-2025
- IOL News
Accused in Chanelle Plaatjies murder case abandon bail application
Chanelle Plaatjies' body was found buried in a shallow grave. Image: Facebook The three men accused of murdering 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies have abandoned their bail application and will remain in custody until their next court appearance. Keaton Johnson, 19, Bradley Mamani, 25, and Theodore Qatha, 31, appeared in the Paarl Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, facing charges relating to the brutal murder of the teenage girl from Paarl East. Johnson was reportedly the teenager's boyfriend. Plaatjies went missing on May 14, 2025. After a desperate two-week search by her family and community, her remains were discovered in a wooded area about a kilometre from her home. Her body had been buried in a shallow grave. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ According to the charge sheet, the accused are charged with premeditated murder. The State alleges that 'the accused did unlawfully and intentionally kill Chanelle by strangling her and burying her body in a shallow grave'. The charge falls under Part I of Schedule 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, which deals with aggravated forms of murder, including killings committed as part of a group, conspiracy, or with premeditation. As such, if convicted, the accused face a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. Action Society spokesperson Kaylynn Palm, who was present at court on Tuesday, said: 'Action Society is at Paarl Magistrate's Court for the murder case of Chanelle Plaatjies. Three people were arrested, including the boyfriend, and they appeared in court. All of them abandoned their bail.'
IOL News
01-07-2025
- IOL News
Suspects in Chanelle Plaatjies murder case abandon bail application
Chanelle Plaatjies' body was found buried in a shallow grave. Image: Facebook The three men accused of murdering 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies have abandoned their bail application and will remain in custody until their next court appearance. Keaton Johnson, 19, Bradley Mamani, 25, and Theodore Qatha, 31, appeared in the Paarl Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, facing charges relating to the brutal murder of the teenage girl from Paarl East. Johnson was reportedly the teenager's boyfriend. Plaatjies went missing on May 14, 2025. After a desperate two-week search by her family and community, her remains were discovered in a wooded area about a kilometre from her home. Her body had been buried in a shallow grave. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading According to the charge sheet, the accused are charged with premeditated murder. The State alleges that 'the accused did unlawfully and intentionally kill Chanelle by strangling her and burying her body in a shallow grave'. The charge falls under Part I of Schedule 2 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997, which deals with aggravated forms of murder, including killings committed as part of a group, conspiracy, or with premeditation. As such, if convicted, the accused face a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. Action Society spokesperson Kaylynn Palm, who was present at court on Tuesday, confirmed that one of the accused had initially considered applying for bail but later withdrew the application. All three ultimately abandoned their bids and remain in custody. 'Action Society is at Paarl Magistrate's Court today for the murder case of Chanelle Plaatjies. Three people were arrested, including the boyfriend, and they appeared in court. On Tuesday, all of them abandoned their bail,' said Palm.
IOL News
10-06-2025
- IOL News
Community rallies to find missing 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies
Chanelle Plaatjies Image: Facebook Paarl East community activists and the family of missing 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies combed dense bush behind Allandale Prison on Monday night, hoping to find her or evidence of what may have happened to her. Plaatjies was reported missing by her mother on May 28, police spokesperson FC van Wyk told the Cape Argus. Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi last night confirmed that a body had been found. "We can confirm that forensic experts responded to information earlier today (Monday), which led to the recovery of a body of a victim near a local dam in Paarl policing precinct. "The body is yet to be identified. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. "Paarl police registered a murder for further investigation. The suspects are yet to be arrested. "We appeal to anyone who can shed light on the circumstances surrounding this incident to please call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously," said Swartbooi. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Activists together with social media went abuzz that she was buried in a shallow grave and that her shoe was also discovered. Executive director of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation, Billy Claasen, said he was with the family after her body had been found. Van Wyk told the Cape Argus: 'This office can confirm that 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies has been reported missing by her mother on Wednesday, May 28. At the time of her disappearance she was wearing maroon track pants and a grey jersey." Via the Facebook page EJ Breaking News, live updates of the search for the missing teen were shared, where it showed the police's tape enclosing the area. Claims were that a search started involving the teenager's family, community members and a political party, in which a shoe was discovered and claims of a shallow grave. Relatives and community members could be seen collapsing to the ground in tears. In a statement, Claasen said there was a scene at Allandale Correctional Facility. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
04-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
'Until I see proof, my daughter is still alive in my heart': DNA results awaited as body found in shallow grave
The family of 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies hold on to hope that she is still alive as they await DNA results to determine whether a decomposing body found in Paarl East is hers. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers The family of 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies from Greenhill, Paarl East, believe she is still alive, despite the discovery of a decomposing body buried in a shallow grave near their home, just metres from where her shoe was found. Plaatjies was last seen on May 14 but was only reported missing two weeks later on May 28. The delay in reporting, the family says, was due to the hope that she would return home, as she usually did when she went out with friends. The breakthrough in the search came on Monday, when her sisters stumbled upon one of her shoes in a wooded area about a kilometre from their house. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Chanelle Plaatjies Image: Facebook It was this discovery that led to the unearthing of a body believed to be that of a young woman. Speaking emotionally to the media outside the family home, Chanelle's father, Samuel Jacobs, described the moment they discovered the shoe. 'My daughters first spotted the shoe and they positively identified it as Chanelle's,' he said. 'They noticed there was something strange about the ground under it. At first, I stopped them from touching it, but when I saw the shoe, something told me my daughter was there.' Driven by instinct and fear, Jacobs began digging. 'I took a spade and dug until there was a smell of a decomposed body in the air. But before I could see anything, the police arrived and took over. As I was digging, I hoped with all my heart that it wasn't her. I believe she is alive,' he said. Chanelle's mother, Hester Plaatjies, echoed the same sentiment. 'I have a feeling that the body found there is not my daughter's. My motherly instinct is telling me that my child is still out there and alive. That may have been her shoe, but my heart says she's still with us,' she said. DNA testing is now under way to determine whether the body found is indeed Chanelle's. Her sister, Melleney Hugo, confirmed that the shoe found belonged to Chanelle. 'My mom bought her those shoes, and she wore them to court one day. But we want to see the body first so we can be sure.' Rumours are now swirling in the community that Chanelle may have been killed by a boyfriend recently released from prison. Jacobs said the family had never seen or met this alleged boyfriend. The site of the shallow grave where a body has been recovered. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers Police spokesperson, Novela Potelwa, confirmed Paarl East police have been investigating the case since a missing person report was filed on May 28. 'According to the mother, she last saw Chanelle on May 14. Information was followed up, and a shoe was found near an open hole in the woods. The body of a female was discovered buried in the same area on Monday evening. DNA testing is under way to determine whether it is that of the missing teenager.' As the community waits anxiously for confirmation, Chanelle's family continues to hold on to hope. 'I'm not giving up,' said Hester. 'Until I see proof, my daughter is still alive in my heart.' Cape Argus
