Civil rights watchdog Action Society — who has been mandated to oversee the judicial process relating to the murder of Paarl teenager Chanelle Plaatjies — said it is satisfied with this week’s court outcome.
The 16-year-old girl disappeared last month, and her corpse was later found in a shallow grave near a dam.
The led to the arrest of three suspects, one of whom is her former lover. The three men accused of killing the young girl are; Keaton Johnson, Bradley Mamani and Theodore Qatha.
The matter was heard in the Paarl Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where all three murder suspects have now abandoned their bail bids.
“As Action Society, we apposed bail for one of the suspects, because of the nature of the crime. However, all three have abandoned bail, and we are satisfied with that outcome,” Action Society’s spokesperson Kaylynn Palm said.
Palm shared her concerns surrounding the fact that several key items of evidence are still outstanding. The organisation hopes this will soon be supplied, so that the court matter can progress with the necessary urgency it requires.
“It was noted in court that there are a few outstanding items which include a DNA report, soil analysis and toxicology report. We hope that these items will be made available as soon as possible, so that the case can continue and head to trial,” Palm added.
The matter has been postponed to 1 August 2025, while investigations remain underway.
READ MORE: Family of slain Paarl teen Chanelle Plaatjies pleads for bail to be denied
