KARIEGA – The families of two missing men, Quinton “Doenas” Plaatjies and Loay Hisham Khayat, say they remain without answers years after their disappearances, accusing police of failing to properly investigate the cases and calling for greater accountability in how missing persons investigations are handled in the Eastern Cape.

Georgina Sammy, Plaatjies’ sister, said her brother disappeared in October 2020 after his Ford EcoSport was found abandoned near a tavern in Gqeberha. She said the family immediately launched searches across hospitals, mortuaries and surrounding areas, but found no trace of him.

“It will be six years ago this October that his case was reported,” Sammy said. “We went to Gqeberha for two weeks. We searched hospitals, mortuaries and everything we could. Nothing happened.”

Sammy said the family has reflected on whether Quinton may have been targeted because he was perceived to have money at the time.

She said he had previously been known to speak openly about his finances in social settings.

He used to go out and, when he was drinking, he would boast about his money.

Sammy said the family repeatedly followed up with police and escalated their concerns over the years, frustrated by what they described as limited progress in the investigation.

She also said that after her brother’s disappearance, the family discovered that more than R117,000 had been withdrawn from his bank account over time.

According to Sammy, the case was initially treated as a missing persons investigation and later escalated through various police structures as the family continued to push for updates. She said they eventually sought national-level engagement through escalation processes, including contact with specialised police units.

Sammy said the most significant development in the case came after she was contacted by Allison Khayat, whose husband, Loay Hisham Khayat, went missing in 2025.

Khayat said she reached out after seeing similarities between the circumstances surrounding their cases.

“I saw the posts and I reached out because I felt there were similarities in what we were experiencing,” she said.

A second family’s nightmare

Allison said her husband’s disappearance followed a period of marital difficulties, during which he was staying at a guesthouse. She said he was last seen on 15 August 2025 and had been in contact with family members shortly before his disappearance. “His last online was 18:33,” she said. “According to police footage from the guesthouse, Loay left the premises at about 18:35 wearing his pyjamas. He left on his motorbike.”

She said Khayat had also spoken to family members about plans involving the sale of his vehicle, and that concerns only arose when he suddenly stopped communicating. “On 15 August his sister from Miami contacted me because his phone was off. His business friend also contacted me. We immediately knew something was wrong,” she said.

Allison said inconsistencies emerged when the guesthouse owner provided explanations about his movements and the vehicle. “She told us Loay sold the car and went to Gqeberha, but later her story changed,” Allison said. “We have voice notes from those conversations.”

Allison added that she reported Loay missing at a police station in Kariega and later provided investigators with bank statements showing irregularities. “On 18 August I got his bank statements and they showed irregularities in his account,” she said.

Khayat said the investigation later shifted from a missing persons case to a kidnapping investigation. Allison said she raised concerns with police about individuals Loay had been introduced to at the guesthouse.

“I told them everything Loay told me about being introduced to a man named Donovan Williams who also stayed at the guesthouse,” she said.

She also alleged that documents linked to a vehicle transfer were completed without Loay’s presence and that signatures were forged. She said she believed some of the documentation used was among items previously reported as missing.

The transfer was done without him being present at the police station. His signature was forged.

Allison added that she questioned inconsistencies in the handling of Loay’s belongings after his disappearance, claiming that some items later went missing. “If his belongings were safe in his room, how did some of his items go missing?” she said.

She added that she was later informed that Loay’s bank card had allegedly been found in the possession of an individual linked to the investigation.

Allison said she believed several individuals linked to the guesthouse might have held answers about what happened to her husband. She also claimed that she was informed by an investigating officer that the matter may be linked to other cases under review. “I was told my case is linked to 11 other cases and it is in a sensitive stage,” she said.

She added that she has repeatedly requested updates and engaged private investigative support in an effort to assist with the case, and said she believed certain individuals were not properly questioned during the early stages of the investigation.

Allison described her husband as family-oriented and said his disappearance has had a severe emotional impact on their children. “Our children miss their father,” she said. “Life is very hard without him.”

SAPS: Suspect wanted, investigation ongoing

The South African Police Service in the Nelson Mandela Bay District acknowledged the concerns raised by the families of missing persons Quinton Plaatjies, also known as “Doenas”, and Loay Khayat, regarding the ongoing investigation into their disappearances and alleged kidnapping.

According to SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg, the matter remains under active investigation by the Nelson Mandela Bay District Detective Intervention Task Team. “Information gathered during investigations indicated that the victim had allegedly been kidnapped after initially being reported missing in October 2020.”

ALSO READ: R30,000 reward offered for information on person of interest

She added that a J50 warrant of arrest was subsequently issued for wanted suspect Donovan Williams, also known as “Poenie.” “Detectives continue to follow up on all information and leads received in an effort to trace and apprehend the suspect.”

Janse van Rensburg added that SAPS has noted allegations relating to corruption, negligence and incompetence against members involved in the investigation. “At this stage, no evidence supporting these allegations has been brought to the attention of SAPS management. However, all complaints against SAPS members are treated seriously and will be addressed through the appropriate internal processes should formal complaints or evidence be submitted.

“While SAPS understands the frustration experienced by the family, certain details cannot be disclosed publicly as this may compromise the ongoing investigation. The victim has not yet been located and investigations continue. SAPS remains committed to tracing the suspect and pursuing all available leads,” she stated.

“Members of the public who may have complaints regarding SAPS service delivery are encouraged to report such matters through the MySAPS App or relevant SAPS management structures. Anyone with information is requested to contact Detective Warrant Officer JJ Botha on 071 475 1945, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or the nearest police station,” Janse van Rensburg concluded.

‘We just need answers’

Both families say they continue to pursue answers as they navigate years of uncertainty surrounding the disappearances of their loved ones. Sammy said their focus remains on finding closure. “What did they do with my brother’s body?” she said. “We just need answers.”

Khayat said she remains determined to pursue the matter further. “I will not stop until I find my husband,” she said.

ALSO READ: SAPS makes breakthrough in five-year-old case as suspect arrested