Gqeberha businessman Rob Evans (58), accused of murdering and allegedly kidnapping his girlfriend Vanessa Van Rensburg (36), revealed receiving threats from the victim’s father during his bail hearing today, May 19, at the Regional Court of the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court.
During his plea, Evans disclosed that Vanessa’s father, Johan, sent “threatening messages” to his WhatsApp recently. These included a 20-second-long voice note where Johan said, “Rob Evans, let Johan van Rensburg tell you tonight: run and keep on running. I don’t care how much money you’ve got. Run. You better start running now that you’ve got your number back. Run. Far, far away.”
While Evans stated he didn’t take these threats seriously, viewing Johan as a grieving father, he felt compelled to reveal them during his bail application.
Throughout his statement, Evans emphasised his full transparency with police before his arrest, arguing this demonstrated he would not abscond if granted bail. He became visibly emotional while reading his 22-year-old daughter’s statement supporting his release.
His daughter, Justine Evans, who works full-time at her father’s company, Algoa Plastics, claimed her father’s detention has turned their “world upside down.” She described him as emotionally present and never violent.
Justine’s statement revealed that her father had confessed about his relationship with Vanessa on May 11, 2023, after which she distanced herself because Vanessa was close to both her and her mother.
According to Justine, her father “gave up a lot to be with Vanessa and worked hard for them to accept his relationship with her,” because he genuinely loved Vanessa.
As previously reported by the Express, Evans has been charged with the premeditated murder of the Gqeberha mother of two, Vanessa Van Rensburg. Vanessa died in his holiday home in Oyster Bay during Easter weekend.
According to the court papers seen by the Express, Evans has been charged with murder, kidnapping, and obstruction of justice.
Additionally, the court papers revealed, Evans allegedly struck Vanessa with a bottle and/or other blunt force object and strangled her.
Evans remains in local police custody in Humansdorp. The matter has been remanded for finalisation of the formal bail application.
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