A Gqeberha business owner accused of strangling and killing his girlfriend by striking her with an object likened to a bottle, pleaded with the court to grant him bail on Friday.
Father of three Rob Evans told the Humansdorp regional court that being behind bars was destroying his business, and tearing his family apart.
Evans, 58, is accused of murdering Bay mother of two, Vanessa van Rensburg, at his Oyster Bay holiday home over the Easter weekend.
Van Rensburg’s battered and bruised body was discovered on the living room floor in the early hours of April 20.
In addition to a charge of premeditated murder, on Friday morning the state added additional charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice against Evans.
According to the state, Evans previously assaulted Van Rensburg and locked her in his vehicle.
In the amended charge sheet before court, the state claimed that he killed Van Rensburg, 36, by hitting her with a bottle or similar object, and strangled her.
It was further claimed that once Van Rensburg was dead, Evans tried to clean up the crime scene.
Evans is incarcerated at St Albans Prison.
Family members of both Van Rensburg and Evans attended court proceedings on Friday, where the formal bail application got under way.
Van Rensburg’s father, Johan Snr, stood outside court a broken man, holding his slain daughter’s ashes inside a wooden box.
Her name, birth date, and date of death, was carefully engraved on the lid.
Evans took to the stand and then read his own affidavit into the record.
He said his defence attorneys Paul Roelofse and Danie Gouws had been under the impression at his first court appearance on Monday that the matter would proceed as a schedule 5 bail application.
However, he said Roelofse was later informed by the prosecution that senior state advocate Marius Stander had reviewed the matter, and he was accordingly charged with a schedule 6 offence of premeditated murder.
This meant he needed to prove exceptional circumstances existed to permit his release on bail.
He further told the court that he was a law-abiding citizen, willing to comply with stringent bail conditions, and was not a flight risk.
“I have no [other] pending charges against me,” he said.
Evans said he had been renting a place in Walmer for the past year following his separation from his wife and mother of his three daughters.
He said they were engaged in divorce proceedings and that he continued to financially support their children.
“The emotional and psychological impact of my continued absence is felt deeply by my family, particularly my minor daughter with whom I have a close bond.
“All three daughters are suffering as a result of my inability to fulfil my role as a father and support figure.”
Evans then burst into tears, prompting magistrate Deidre Dickson to call for an adjournment so that he could compose himself.
After the short adjournment, Evans said his eldest daughter worked under his mentorship at his Newton Park business, Algoa Plastics.
He argued that he was solely responsible for the company’s operations, and that his continued detention placed the successful business at risk of collapse.
The company, he said, employed 44 staff and contributed significantly to the local economy.
In addition to Algoa Plastics, Evans manages Barleda 186 CC, which oversees several commercial and residential properties in Gqeberha, as well as the Kabeljouws Street holiday home in Oyster Bay, where the murder occurred.
He said he was solely responsible for the administration, leases and maintenance of these properties, and that his absence threatened financial default and hardship for tenants.
“The financial losses, risk to my business and investments, and the hardship that will be inflicted on innocent third parties if I remain in detention constitute material prejudice ... and support a finding that exceptional circumstances exist.”
Outside the court, a grieving Johan said he had been unable to sleep since his daughter’s brutal murder.
He said all that remained of her was in the small, wooden box.
“I feel empty,” he said, adding that he now wanted to see justice being done.
Van Rensburg’s sister, Claudette, was also very emotional.
“I just want justice for Vanessa,” she said through tears.
“She was such a kind and loving person.
“It hurts so much to lose her.
“Every day is hard, and it feels that a part of us is gone forever.
“We hope the truth comes out and [whoever is] responsible [is] held accountable.”
Evans’ brother, who was at court, declined to comment.
The matter was postponed to Monday for further evidence to be led in the bail application.
Evans remains in custody.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.