We have had a very troubled time these last two weeks. Robert Palmer, who was living and working here at Emoyeni since February, has disappeared, together with our bakkie and about R12 000 cash.
On Wednesday 9th May, Robert took our bakkie to fetch some building materials from Alberton (south of Johannesburg). He did not return that evening, and at about 7.30 on Thursday morning he called to say that he had some trouble the previous night, but was returning to Emoyeni. He never arrived back here. Later we found out that he had withdrawn cash from our bank account with a debit card for which he had the PIN code.
Last Friday morning (18 May) we had brief cellphone contact with him and he gave us some information about where the bakkie could possibly be found. By that evening he had severed contact again, and we have not heard from him again. It seems that whatever happened was volitional on his part. At the moment we have no idea where he might be, or in what state he may be.
We have reported the case to the police, and have been in regular contact with Robert’s parents in East London.
The bakkie has not been recovered. It is insured and we expect to get a settlement of about R30 000 from the insurers. Because it was so old (1994), we’ll have to add at least another R30 000 of our own cash in order to buy a half-decent second hand one.
Robert’s cheerful personality and willingness to get on with any job that came his way, make his disappearance and subsequent actions a very sad experience. We hope that he can emerge from this spiral of destructive actions and reclaim his life.
