By St Francis Chronicle, 7 July: PE Businessman Rob Evans accused of murdering his girlfriend, Vanessa Van Rensburg , will finally learn his fate in his protracted bail application on Wednesday this week as will her family and the public at large..
On 9 July the court will announce whether bail will be granted bail of around R100k and under which schedule the case will proceed. Rob Evans’ Bail Fate Hangs in Balance as Humansdorp Court will hear Final Arguments.
The long, drawn-out bail hearing of Port Elizabeth businessman Rob Evans, 58, accused of murdering his girlfriend Vanessa van Rensburg, 36, reached a critical point in Humansdorp Regional Court today, 7 July. Magistrate Deidre Dickson heard final arguments from state prosecutor Bianca Burger and defence attorney Paul Roelofse, as the court grappled with whether the murder charge should fall be Schedule 6 (premeditated, requiring exceptional circumstances for bail) or Schedule 5 (murder, with a lighter burden).
Evans , who was arrested for the murder of Vanessa on 9 May this year has been confined to St Albans Prison for almost two months awaiting the outcome of whether he can get bail or not. Vanessa’s body was found battered and bruised in the lounge of Evans’ Oyster Bay holiday home in the early hours of Easter Sunday 20 April.
The state alleges Evans struck her with a smashed whisky bottle and possibly strangled her, owing to her injuries and evidence at the crime scene. Apart from murder, Evans faces charges of allegedly locking her in his vehicle in May this year, and a charge obstruction of justice (for disturbing the crime scene).
Prosecutor Burger argued Evans is a flight risk who misled the court, citing his missing passport and lack of a clear not-guilty plea. “The state’s case is circumstantial, but strongly – based on the brutality of the attack and no one else being in the house,” she said.
Burger highlighted Evans’ emotional displays in court – crying during his daughter’s testimony and a letter from van Rensburg, but showing no emotion or reaction to the postmortem album .
“He has two options: die in prison or run,” she warned of Evans being a flight risk.
Burger emphasised the prevalence of domestic violence in South Africa. Quoting a prior judgment, she said: “Hardly a day passes without a woman or child being beaten, raped, or killed. The interests of justice demand he stay in custody.”
Roelofse countered that Evans is presumed innocent and co-operated fully, handing over his phone, allowing samples, and driving investigating officer Warrant Officer Xolile Kato to a witness’s house after a braai. Roelofse disputed premeditation, noting Kato’s testimony that Evans was confused and emotional when van Rensburg’s body was found, and that the whisky bottle’s break is unclear.
On the kidnapping charge, Roelofse argued van Rensburg was intoxicated, and Kato failed to inspect the vehicle to confirm she couldn’t exit. “The state’s pushing Schedule 6 with no proof of planning – just a tragic, alcohol-fuelled altercation,” he said.
Roelofse said the R100k bail offer shows Evans respects the court.
The defence and the State debated the schedules. Burger insisted Schedule 6 applies due to the crime’s severity, while Roelofse argued for Schedule 5, claiming the state’s evidence lacks premeditation specifics.
Magistrate Deidre Dickson is likely set to rule on both the schedule and bail on 9 July. The State contends that Evans must prove exceptional circumstances for release, which Burger said he failed to do.
The long drawn-out bail hearing, marked by delays is now set for a conclusion. The Eastern Cape, particularly communities in PE, St Francis Bay (that includes Oyster Bay village where Vanessa was murdered) await the bail with trepidation both sides.
St Francis Chronicle remains committed to providing the news about this high profile case , and developing story, which it has been following since this newspaper first broke the news of the murder to the public.
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