Spiritual leader denies involvement in murder after allegations on social media

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GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - Rocco Viljoen (58), a spiritual leader and a friend of the murdered former detective Nicky van Heerden (54), denies any involvement in her death, amid some recent insinuations to that effect on social media posts.

Van Heerden’s body was discovered on a large area of dunes at Rivertides near Keurbooms River on Sunday evening, 18 January, after the police had responded to a report of a woman screaming.

An anti-crime activist, Morné Swart, who has a Facebook following of about 47 000, shared a photograph of Viljoen with the following message (translated from Afrikaans): “This man’s name is Rocco Viljoen, a cult leader in the Knysna area, and there is a direct connection between him and the murdered detective from Knysna. Before I send all my information to the authorities, I am asking for more details about this man, please. Feel free to inbox me. I am also in possession of a voice note that the murdered woman posted on a WhatsApp group the night before her murder. This tragedy is going to shock the country.”

Van Heerden had sent a voice note to a WhatsApp group administered by Viljoen at about 18:45 on Saturday evening, the day before her death. In it, she mentions Viljoen by name and warns his followers against him.

The voice note has since circulated on social media. Listeners are advised that the content may be disturbing. Listen to it here.

Van Heerden later sent an apology to the group.

Bevan van Druten (53), a well-known artist from Sedgefield and Wilderness who was living on the property where the body was found, has since handed himself over to the authorities. Initial media reports had stated that she was found on a public beach in Keurboomstrand. It has since emerged that she was instead found on the dunes at Rivertides - next Van Druten’s vehicle.

At this stage, there has been no confirmation of a confession, and the circumstances and cause of death remain unclear. Van Druten made his first appearance in the Plettenberg Bay Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 21 January. The case was postponed to Monday, 26 January to allow him to place an attorney on record and to decide whether he will apply for bail.

The police have not indicated that Viljoen is being investigated, despite his name being mentioned in the voice note.

George Herald contacted Viljoen after his name surfaced on social media to ask his response to these allegations and why he was mentioned in one of her final messages. Viljoen denied that he was a cult leader. According to him, he had served as a priest for more than 30 years, but began questioning Biblical teachings and his Christian beliefs after extensive research. This led him to explore spirituality and share his insights with others.

He established an online group on which the members could discuss religion and spirituality, ask questions and share experiences. He later began posting videos, which attracted a following on social media.

Viljoen said he lives alone in a camper vehicle that is barely mobile on a shared farm with four or five other people. He stressed that there is no physical group and no cult. He added that about 99% of his followers have never met him in person.

He described himself as a peace-loving person who moved to Knysna to recover from personal hardship. He denied having had a romantic relationship with Van Heerden, and stated that they had been close friends.

Viljoen also referred to an incident more than eight months ago in which he was involved in a physical altercation with Van Druten. He said he acted in self-defence and in an attempt to protect Van Druten’s former partner, who lived a neighbouring farm and had felt threatened when Van Druten suddenly arrived unannounced. According to Viljoen, Van Druten was under the influence of substances and behaved aggressively. He said he asked him to leave, after which a fight occurred. The police later removed Van Druten from the property. Van Druten laid an assault charge against Viljoen, but the case was later withdrawn. A protection order was subsequently granted in favour of Van Druten’s former partner.

In a voice note following Van Heerden’s, Viljoen calmly explained his actions. Listen to it here.

Viljoen denied any involvement in Van Heerden’s murder. He said he has a valid alibi and witnesses who can confirm his whereabouts at the time. He also confirmed that the police have not contacted him regarding the case.

Viljoen said he has been deeply affected by the allegations on social media and believes Swart should account for the following claims he made: that Viljoen was linked to the murder, that he is a cult leader, that an investigation is pending against him, and that he lived close enough to travel to the scene and back. Viljoen disputed these claims, stating that he lives about 50 minutes outside Knysna and that Keurbooms River is a further 40 minutes away. He added that his camper vehicle is not in a condition to travel such distances.

He said these allegations have distressed his family and friends and damaged his reputation among his former clients (when he was a builder) and members of the congregations he had served during his 30-year career.

Swart was approached for comment, but declined to respond. He said he was not in a position to comment at present, but reserved the right to do so at a later stage if necessary. He also removed his post from social media shortly after it had been posted.

Previous articles:

• Nicky van Heerden murder: Suspect appears in court
• Sedgefield man to appear in court for former Plettenberg Bay detective’s murder

The social media post by Morné Swart, an anti-crime activist. He removed it shortly after it had been posted. Photo: Supplied

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