The fact that murder accused Rob Evans could afford R100,000 for bail raised a key question in the Humansdorp Regional Court on Monday — does having money mean he is more likely to run?
According to the investigating officer, this is indeed the case.
Warrant Officer Xolile Kato’s belief that Evans’ deep pockets mean he is a flight risk emerged during cross-examination as the formal bail application continued.
Monday marked exactly one month since the Gqeberha businessman’s arrest.
The father of three is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Vanessa van Rensburg, at his Oyster Bay holiday home during the Easter weekend.
Her battered body was found in the early hours of April 20.
Evans has maintained his innocence throughout.
On Monday, defence attorney Paul Roelofse continued with his cross-examination of Kato.
At times, prosecutor Bianca Burger jumped up to object to Roelofse’s line of questioning.
Proceedings got off to a late start due to delays in Evans’ transportation to Humansdorp from the St Albans prison, where he is being held.
The regional court also had to deal with several other matters on Monday.
Turning to earlier testimony that Tiaan van Schalkwyk — a member of Evans’ defence team — had contacted state witness Ronel van Eyck, Roelofse questioned if the woman had ever been threatened.
Van Eyck’s testimony was led by the state in a bid to show Evans had a propensity to be violent.
Van Eyck had submitted an affidavit for the state, claiming the two had been involved in a verbal altercation.
Van Eyck claimed in her statement that the altercation had been so bad that bouncers had to intervene, and that Evans had received a written warning from the Old Grey union.
Evans was alleged to have also previously slapped a patron at the Old Grey restaurant so hard that the glasses he was wearing broke and cut his face.
Roelofse asked: “There is no indication that Mr Evans ever threatened her in any way as a witness?”
Kato replied: “Not after the incident she referred to.”
However, Kato maintained that Evans could be violent.
“Many people are afraid of him,” he said.
He said some people had refused to give statements because they did not want to be dragged into the criminal case.
Roelofse also asked whether the people Kato had interviewed about Evans’ alleged violent behaviour could assist with the murder charge.
“That is what I maintain,” Kato said.
Roelofse said: “The sum total of your evidence is that you believe [Van Rensburg] was assaulted with a bottle and that my client did it.
“You believe that if he is granted bail, he will run and not stand his trial?”
Kato responded that Evans had the financial means to go wherever he wanted.
Roelofse retorted that the mere fact that someone could afford R100,000 for bail did not make them a flight risk.
The case continues on Tuesday.
The Herald
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