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BREAKTHROUGH IN MISSING PRISON OFFICIAL MYSTERY

Cape Argus

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November 04, 2025

Arrests bring new hope for his family

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

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 the 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.

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