Investigating officer Xolile Kato testified in the Humansdorp Regional Court today, May 30, regarding the murder case of Vanessa Van Rensburg (36).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kato stated that Rob Evans (58), Algoa Plastics boss, had the capability to commit the assault that led to the death of the mother of two during Easter weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll evidence leads to Evans being the murderer as they were the only two people in the house when Vanessa died,\u201d Kato told the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As previously reported by the Express, Evans faces charges of premeditated murder, kidnapping, attempted murder, and defeating the ends of justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Evans\u2019 two older daughters were present at today\u2019s court proceedings for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First Encounter at the Crime Scene Calibre Security Officer\u2019s Statement Sequence of Events Kato said McCaffee, who had also been at the braai, was given a ride to Evans\u2019 house by Keith around 20:20, after being left by Evans at the braai. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Upon arrival, McCaffee found Evans sitting on the stoep because he was locked out. McCaffee did not see Vanessa\u2019s body before leaving at 20:55, which was confirmed by CCTV footage. Vanessa\u2019s Description and Injuries A paramedic declared Vanessa dead at 02:59, noting, \u201cThe body was cold but not stiffened yet, lips were blue, pupils dilated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Crime scene evidence Evans\u2019 Contradictions
<\/strong>In today\u2019s proceedings, Kato described receiving a call at 02:00 on April 20, regarding a death and drove to Evans\u2019 house in Oyster Bay. Upon arrival, he found police members already at the scene and Evans with one police member. According to Kato, as he approached the house, he saw a female person lying on the floor, later confirmed to be Vanessa Van Rensburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>According to Kato, a Calibre security officer said the alarm at Evans\u2019 house was triggered around 20:08 on April 19. Kato said when the officer arrived at approximately 21:00, he observed Evans standing in front of the house.
\u201cThe security officer found Evans sitting on the windowsill by the sliding door. Evans was clearly under the influence of alcohol\u2014\u2018very drunk\u2019\u2014and even knocked over his glass when trying to stand up,\u201d Kato testified.
Additionally, the private security officer witnessed Vanessa alive when the garage door opened and she stepped out. Evans was heard shouting, \u201cWhere are the fucking keys?\u201d and continued swearing at Vanessa when the officer left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Kato confirmed that Vanessa, Evans and Michael McCaffee had visited Keith Belling\u2019s house earlier that evening, arriving around 19:00. According to witness statements, Vanessa left the gathering at approximately 20:30 and \u201cwas not drunk, she was fine.\u201d Evans left about 20 minutes later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/strong>When examining Vanessa\u2019s body at the crime scene, Kato noted her face was directed toward the door, positioned so close to the sliding door that \u201cone had to be careful not to bump her head.\u201d
\u201cVanessa was fully dressed in a turquoise top and jeans, with a scarf around her neck. She was still wearing her jewelry,\u201d Kato stated.
He observed \u201ca scar on the left side of her chin, a visible bruise on her lower neck, a scar on her right palm, red marks on her chest, and three or four bite mark-looking wounds on her right shoulder.\u201d
The postmortem revealed hemorrhage in the neck and brain, which according to the state doctor, could be the result of strangulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Examining the crime scene, Kato found green broken bottles scattered across the floor, forming a trail leading to the kitchen. Near the dustbin, he noticed larger glass fragments.
\u201cI discovered a broken J&B whiskey bottle in the dustbin with its label still intact,\u201d Kato testified. \u201cA black plastic bag had been placed in the bin to conceal the bottle. Despite being completely shattered, the bottle was still sealed with its cap present, indicating it had never been opened.\u201d
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<\/strong>When questioned by Kato about the \u2018bite marks\u2019 on Vanessa, Evans said: \u201cWhat bite marks? I don\u2019t know anything about them.\u201d He told Kato that Vanessa had only complained about sore ribs \u201cthat the children caused.\u201d
Kato observed that Evans was not completely sober and \u201cdrank a lot of water\u201d during questioning.
When Vanessa\u2019s father, Johan, arrived and declined Evans\u2019 handshake, Evans immediately responded, \u201cOh, so now I\u2019m a suspect?\u201d though no accusation had been made.
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