Breakthrough in the five-year search for missing prison official

The lid has been lifted on a national kidnapping ring linked to the mysterious disappearance of Quinton "Doenas" Plaatjies, a retired senior official from the Department of Correctional Services, who vanished five years ago after receiving a multimillion-rand payout.

A breakthrough in the case has led to the arrest of a woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, and another suspect.

The development in the cold case is significant for the family of former warden and prison head,  Plaatjies, 54, who went missing in October 2020.

The family told Cape Argus they believed the end was near in the cold case being solved and to find out what happened to their brother and whether he was buried somewhere.

The Correctional Services official had been stationed in Somerset East where he had worked for over 35 years before he went on early retirement.

Plaatjies family previously revealed he received a payout of close to R4 million and that he left his home in October 2020 to visit relatives in Nysschen Street in Bethelsdorp in PE and was never seen again.

Plaatjies bank account has since been frozen for investigation purposes.

Plaatjies’ brand new Ford Ecosport which he had paid cash for, was found abandoned on November 7 2020 outside of Beer Shack in Beach Road in PE.

Items such as his false teeth were also left behind.

According to an internal report shared with the Cape Argus, the Nelson Mandela Bay Detective Intervention Task Team, managed to arrest a woman in October 2025 relating to the kidnapping and hijacking of Plaatjies.

It is understood that the task team had interviewed the woman and that following a statement obtained, she allegedly implicated three men to the syndicate, one of whom is now deceased.

The woman may not be identified as she is vital weapon for the state's case, known as a 204 witness.

A second suspect was arrested and is expected to make his first appearance on Thursday.

The pair may ultimately not be identified as an identity parade which is relevant to the investigation is ongoing.

The investigation also involves a woman seen on CCTV footage at an ATM withdrawing money from Plaatjies bank account, whom was also later questioned by police.

Eastern Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Nokuthula Makupula confirmed the matter and that there were arrests: “The matter has been remanded to November 28 for further investigation, the accused are appearing in the Kariega Magistrates’ Court.”

Georgina Sammy, Plaatjies’ sister, who spoke on behalf of the family said while they were relieved, they were also concerned that they did not have answers as to what had happened to him.

Plaatjies is also a father of two: “Up until now we haven't formally heard what happened with him, was he buried, what did they do with him.

“We as the sisters of Quinton aka Doenas, are relieved, as much as the sadness is overwhelming us, that the perpetrators have been apprehended, and now that the case is nearing the closure, we so desperately craved for five years now. 

“We want to know why these individuals did this to our brother?

“Where is he, so that we can do the necessary preparations for his burial?

“He was a people’s person and had compassion for the less fortunate.

Chaz Thomas of Track n Trace Missing Persons Unit in the Western, which has been assisting the family said it was a breakthrough: “We are very happy that there are suspects behind bars so that the family can get closure.”

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Cape Argus