The salary of the soldier who went missing with an R4 rifle from the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) infantry school in Oudtshoorn eight months ago is still being paid into his bank account.
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The SANDF reported 50-year-old Isak Thompson as missing in July last year after his brother dropped him off at the army base to start a 10-week training course. He had an R4 rifle, which also disappeared.
His salary is still being paid into his bank account even though he is still missing, News24 reports.
‘It’s been really painful not knowing where my brother is. He missed his daughter’s matric ball last year. That was very emotional and sad because one could feel his presence wasn’t there,’ says his brother, Ricardo.
He adds that the police are keeping the family up to date with the investigation.
‘We know that police haven’t found him yet, which is honestly bizarre to us because where could he have possibly gone in the space of two days after I dropped him off?’
‘That base is so security savvy, there is no way he could have [left] without anyone noticing. Never in a million years did we think this was where our life would be right now. Every day, there is a worry about whether he is alive and well.’
He adds that Isak would never disappear on his own accord. ‘He would never do that, considering his immediate family relied on him to bring in the income.’
Thompson was undergoing an advanced reconnaissance platoon course alongside 27 other members at the time of his disappearance. He also received basic sniper training.
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According to News24, a source revealed that he left because he did not agree with his commander’s decision for the group to complete the 10-week training course. Instead, he wanted to return to his post at the Fort Ikapa Military Base in Cape Town, where he worked at one of the 19 reserve units.
‘The kids ask every day if I’ve heard anything from him and, every day, I have to give them the sad answer of “no”,’ says Juanita, Thompson’s wife.
‘This affects them just as much because the kids are his life. He had very good relationships with them.’
The police reportedly took possession of Isak’s bank card, ID and other important documents. ‘It’s money that we need. Isak was the breadwinner; the army base told us that his salary was still going into his bank account every month, and we had to speak to the police about getting his stuff back to us.’
‘I ask and plead for it to be released to me because I have documents that I am his wife, [but] there is just no response or favourable answer to my pleas.’
According to SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini, Thompson’s salary is indeed still being paid into his account each month.
‘According to the policy, the member’s salary cannot be stopped, unless officially declared otherwise by a court of law.’
‘According to the investigating authority, the South African Police Service case has been suspended until new leads are presented.’
Dlamini adds that the base and its training area have been thoroughly searched. ‘We might add that the base is an active military facility.’
Sergeant Christopher Spies, police spokesperson for the Southern Cape, confirmed that Thompson is still missing.
‘Furthermore, items gathered, which include some personal belongings, form part of the finer aspects of the ongoing police probe.’
‘Also, note that some information cannot be divulged at this stage due to the sensitive nature of the matter. In the absence of new developments, the docket is archived until new information arises.’
‘Then the docket will be re-allocated to detectives to pursue new information and to expand the investigation.’
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Picture: Isak Thompson / Facebook