Community rallies to find missing 16-year-old Chanelle Plaatjies

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. 

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.

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“Chanelle went missing on May 14, 2025, and her family have since been searching with the police without any success.

“The police have then arrested a person for drugs.

“They then saw in the system that he is wanted for other cases.

“He then told the police in custody that he murdered her and that he buried her somewhere else and that the police must see for themselves where she is.

“We are on the scene now. The family is traumatised,” he said on Monday night. 

Cape Argus