An emotional day unfolded for the Van Rensburg family today, May 16, at the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court, where they attended the formal bail application hearing of Gqeberha businessman Rob Evans (58), who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Vanessa Van Rensburg (36).
Vanessa’s father, Johan Van Rensburg, was at the hearing carrying the ashes of his deceased daughter, who is a mother of two.
“This is all I got left,” said Johan, visibly distraught as he held the small box containing Vanessa’s remains. “This is in a box. That’s all I’ve left. And I don’t sleep at night.”
When asked if he wanted justice to prevail, Johan responded firmly, “Definitely.”
Claudette Van Rensburg, Vanessa’s older sister by a year, expressed appreciation for the South African Police Service’s work on the case.
“As far as Vanessa’s death is concerned, I think it will be a tear in the family forever,” Claudette explained. “I don’t think it’s something that can be fixed, unfortunately. So, the best thing we can do is have justice. Other than that, it’s still going to be a torn family.”
With Johan too distraught to speak further about his daughter, Claudette shared memories of Vanessa as a mother of an 8-year-old and 4-year-old.
“She was a very loving mother. She was fun, she was loving, she was there for her kids. And unfortunately, now she’s never going to have that opportunity anymore. They’re definitely going to miss her presence. Although she was separated from their father, and they were with her every weekend, and she went to them during the week every single day. So, her presence will be missed,” Claudette explained.
“I think the saddest thing out of this all is not just the family that has been ripped apart from my dad losing a daughter, me losing a sister, my other siblings. The real tragic part is the two very young kids that are left without a mother. And for that, justice needs to be served.”
According to family members, while her son is too young to comprehend the situation, her daughter is struggling significantly with the loss of her mother.
Meanwhile in court, Evans claimed his detention would “directly impact the emotional and developmental needs” of his three daughters, particularly their youngest who is 16.
Additionally, according to his bail application, his absence from his company, Algoa Plastics, would negatively affect the livelihood of his 44 employees, who account for a monthly payroll of R640 000.
His case has been remanded to Monday, May 19, as his offence has been reclassified from a schedule 5 to a schedule 6 offence, therefore delaying his bail application. Evans will remain in custody at St Albans correctional services.
The state also submitted a new charge sheet to the court on Friday, adding charges of attempted murder, kidnapping and obstruction of justice to the original murder charge.
According to the charge sheet, the additional charges relate to Evans allegedly intentionally locking Vanessa in his vehicle.
The obstruction of justice charge stems from allegations that he delayed medical assistance for Vanessa on the day of her death.
As previously reported by the Express, Van Rensburg died in Evans’s R1.75 million holiday home in Oyster Bay during the Easter Weekend.
In the charge sheet, Evans allegedly struck Vanessa with a bottle and/or other blunt force object and strangled her.
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