Algoa FM News
The Gqeberha businessman accused of murdering his girlfriend was once again in the hot seat in the Humansdorp Regional Court as the state continued to cross-examine him during his bail application on Friday.
Algoa Plastics co-owner Rob Evans, 58, is also charged with the attempted murder of Bay mom Vanessa van Rensburg, related to an incident in 2024.
He also faces charges of kidnapping and obstructing the course of justice.
This is after van Rensburg’s body was found in Evans’ holiday home in Oyster Bay on Easter Sunday.
The state kicked off proceedings by handing Evans numerous photographs compiled by the police after van Rensburg’s death.
According to the state, the photos show bruises on her nose, chin, feet and shoulders, among others.
State prosecutor Bianca Burger then put it to Evans that van Rensburg’s bruises are that of a person who fought for her life.
In another photo taken by the police of Evans’ house in Oyster Bay, Evans is pictured with bruising on his chin and shoulder.
The state then put it to him that van Rensburg inflicted those marks. Evans said he did not wish to respond.
Quizzed on the weather the night before van Rensburg was murdered, Evans said: “It was a pleasant evening.”
However, according to the state, when police arrived on the scene, van Rensburg had a scarf around her neck.
Burger then told Evans that he obstructed the scene by putting a scarf around van Rensburg’s neck, as a picture from earlier that night shows her without one.
She further put it to Evans that the post-mortem said that van Rensburg’s shoulder injury was inflicted by blunt force.
In a picture handed to Evans, he agreed that he saw green broken glass pieces on the floor near where van Rensburg was lying in the lounge.
“Investigating officers then found a J&B Whiskey bottle in the dustbin. I put it to you, Mr Evans, that you assaulted Vanessa with that bottle and cleared the scene,” Burger said.
“No comment,” Evans responded.
Burger further cross-examined Evans on the doors leading to the lounge area, which are frequently used to gain entry to the house.
This was to disprove his earlier testimony that he (Evans) did not see van Rensburg inside the house when he came back from his friends’ house to make the fire.
“Mr Evans, you either jumped over her body when you entered through the sliding door, or you must’ve seen her lying there when entering through the kitchen door.”
“But neither of the two happened because you saw her fall to the ground.”
Evans once again elected not to answer.
The application continues.
