Prominent Gqeberha businessman and murder accused Rob Evans (58) painted a dark picture of his relationship with his deceased girlfriend during his bail application today, May 20, at the Regional court in the Humansdorp.
The Algoa Plastics co-owner and co-founder portrayed Vanessa Van Rensburg (36) as both a loved partner and a volatile, aggressive person, particularly when consuming alcohol.
As previously reported by the Express, Rob Evans has been charged with the premeditated murder of Gqeberha mother of two, Vanessa Van Rensburg, who died in his holiday home in Oyster Bay during Easter weekend.
According to court papers seen by the Express, Evans faces charges of murder, kidnapping, and obstruction of justice, with allegations that he struck Vanessa with a bottle and/or other blunt force object and strangled her.
“Our relationship was great. I loved her and she loved me,” Evans stated before the court when questioned by his defence attorney, Paul Roelfse. He claimed that “99% of the time it was a fairytale. Only 1% would be stormy.”
Evans revealed he had known Vanessa for 13 years, initially when she worked at Algoa Plastics, before she left and later returned to the company. “She worked in accounts, sales, and helped everywhere. She was a great worker,” he stated.
Despite their 22-year age difference, Evans described Van Rensburg as “an old soul” and “like my shadow,” noting they were inseparable when she wasn’t with her children, aged 8 and 4, who stayed at their father’s parents’ house in Mount Pleasant.
Evans stated that Vanessa was “very jealous,” which he found confusing because he is an “old, 58-year-old man” while she was a “young and beautiful 36-year-old woman.”
Evans revealed that in late 2024, Vanessa had an episode where she jumped out of his Ford Wildtrak double cab bakkie while they were on their way home from dinner. He stated they were heading to their temporary monthly rental housing in Walmer when, as he was turning at a traffic circle on 10th Avenue in Walmer. Vanessa leaped out of the moving vehicle.
“She was shouting and screaming,” Evans claimed. “They had consumed wine, and her mouth got worse when she had wine.” Evans further stated that they had decided as a couple that brandy was “a no-no” because of how she would react when she consumed it.
READ: Update in Vanessa Van Rensburg murder case: court adjourned as boyfriend breaks down in tears
According to Evans, this incident resulted in injuries to Vanessa’s backside, face, hands, and legs.
Following this episode, he dropped her off at the home of her children’s father in Mount Pleasant, collecting her the next morning from her sister, Claudette’s house.
Evans further testified that there were multiple incidents throughout their relationship where Vanessa threatened to jump out of his moving vehicle during heated arguments.
State prosecutor Bianca Burger interjected during this testimony, questioning the relevance of these incidents to the bail application, arguing they did not pertain to the charges against the accused.
Defense attorney Roelofse countered that establishing Vanessa’s allegedly aggressive nature was necessary, as the state would likely argue that Evans himself had an aggressive nature.
Continuing his bail statement under examination, Evans detailed events leading up to the Easter weekend trip to Oyster Bay.
He testified that on the Friday before their trip, Vanessa had complained of sore ribs, feeling as if they were “torn,” possibly from playing with her children. He offered to take her to a doctor, but she declined.
Evans also mentioned Vanessa’s health issues, stating she suffered from anaemia and bruised easily. In February, she had reportedly consulted a gynaecologist at St. George’s Hospital about her iron levels, easy bruising, and fatigue. The doctor allegedly recommended changing her contraception, which Evans claimed was affecting her hormones and causing mood swings.
During cross-examination, the state prosecutor challenged Evans’ claims about his indispensability to his business, suggesting that his brother and other staff were capable of running operations in his absence. Evans countered that while his brother had been with the company since its inception, he lacked the “entrepreneurial flair” necessary for the business to thrive, claiming, “The business will go backwards” without his leadership.
The court adjourned with the state’s cross-examination to continue tomorrow, May 21, due to time constraints.
Evans remains in custody at the Humansdorp local police station.
