‘Vanessa the aggressor in relationship’ — Evans

What began as a fairytale romance between Rob Evans and Vanessa van Rensburg eventually descended into conflict and alcohol abuse, the murder accused businessman told the court.

Describing Van Rensburg, 36, as the aggressor in their relationship, he claimed she would often jump out of his car, only to tell people he had pushed her or that she fell out the vehicle.

Evans, 58, returned to the stand in the Humansdorp regional court on Tuesday, where he testified in his bid for bail for a third day.

He is accused of murdering Van Rensburg at his Oyster Bay holiday home over the Easter weekend.

Her battered and bruised body was found on the living room floor during the early hours of Sunday April 20.

Evans told the court that they had travelled to the seaside town on the Saturday so they could spend the holiday together before she returned to Gqeberha on the Easter Sunday to join her two young children for an Easter egg hunt.

He similarly planned to spend the day with his own three daughters, he said.

However, their day did not work out as planned and instead Van Rensburg’s loved ones were left grieving.

Investigations revealed that Van Rensburg’s rib was fractured, her lung punctured, and her body bore scratches and bruises, including around her neck.

Evans said about two weeks before the trip, Van Rensburg had been feeling unwell.

Then, on Easter Friday, a day before they left for Oyster Bay, he dropped her at the home of her children, who lived with their father and his parents in Mount Pleasant.

Less than three hours later, when he picked her up again, she complained of sore ribs.

“She said she was sore from [the] rough play with her children,” Evans said.

“I asked if she wanted to see a doctor or go to a pharmacy, but she said there was not much one could do about sore ribs, and that she had pain medication.”

Evans said Van Rensburg was anaemic and bruised easily.

In February, she reportedly visited a gynaecologist about it and was advised to stop using contraceptive medication.

The state, however, objected to the relevance of the information, and also criticised Evans for what was perceived as numerous discrepancies in this testimony.

Continuing his evidence, Evans said during the drive to Oyster Bay, Van Rensburg phoned her mother to tell her she suspected she had a fractured rib.

When they arrived in the small town, they went for a few drinks and then returned to the house to unpack before their braai.

They had another drink on the veranda.

Evans then pointed out that they avoided brandy as Van Rensburg would allegedly become aggressive when drinking it.

Later, while cleaning the back of his bakkie, he said, a friend stopped to ask for directions.

Evans offered to show him the way and invited him in for drinks.

After a few whiskies together, they drove in the friend’s vehicle to Keith Belling’s home, where they were invited in for more drinks.

At this point of his testimony, defence attorney Paul Roelofse stopped him, saying he did not want to hear further evidence of that night at this stage.

Roelofse then circled back to Van Rensburg’s demeanour.

Evans said Van Rensburg had a habit of jumping out his vehicle when stationary — and at least once while it was moving.

He said sometime in 2024, after the couple had supper at the Backstreet Grill in Richmond Hill, Van Rensburg got upset and left the restaurant.

“When I came out, she was standing by the door. I drive a Ford Wildtrak bakkie with bucket seats, a centre compartment, about A4-width wide, and an armrest.”

He said while they were driving, Van Rensburg asked to be taken to her children’s father’s home.

Then, near the traffic circle on the corner of 10th Avenue and Villiers Road, Walmer, the passenger door suddenly opened and she allegedly jumped out.

“I was going about 40km/h. I was in shock. She landed on her backside and was badly bruised, but her injuries were not serious.

“I helped her back into the car and offered to take her to casualty, but she insisted I take her to [the father’s] house.”

He said people nearby helped her back into the vehicle.

Asked by Roelofse if Van Rensburg had been drinking that night, Evans said they had both consumed alcohol.

Evans said their relationship, while like a fairytale at times, could also be stormy.

He claimed Van Rensburg experienced “mood swings or temper tantrums”.

“She would throw things. She smashed glasses on the floor on three or four occasions,” he said.

He said he gave her a place to stay after she was allegedly kicked out by one of her sisters.

The couple then lived together in a rented flatlet in Church Road.

Evans described Van Rensburg as jealous, and said she became upset when he spoke to other people on Facebook.

Evans’ brother, Colin, meanwhile, said in an affidavit submitted by the defence that his brother played an essential role in their Newton Park business, Algoa Plastics.

“I respectfully submit that there is no risk whatsoever that Rob would undermine the functioning of the justice system if granted bail,” Colin said.

State prosecutor Bianca Burger then argued that Colin could manage the businesses, and that Evans’ presence was not essential.

She said operations had already continued without disruption.

She also highlighted discrepancies in Evans’ affidavit.

At one point, Evans became visibly irritated and confronted his own lawyer, prompting magistrate Deidre Dickson to firmly state that she would not allow her courtroom to be used for consulting purposes.

The bail application continues on Wednesday, with the state then expected to lead evidence.

In addition to murder, Evans faces charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice.  

The Herald