Rocco Viljoen (58), a spiritual leader and a friend of the murdered former Plettenberg Bay detective Nicky van Heerden (54), has denied any involvement in her death, amid recent insinuations to that effect on social media.

According to George Herald, Van Heerden’s body was discovered in a large dune area at Rivertides near the Keurbooms River last Sunday evening, after police responded to a report of a woman screaming.

Social media allegations surface

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 last 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.

Accused appears in court

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 stated that Van Heerden was found on a public beach in Keurboomstrand. It has since emerged that she was instead found in the dunes at Rivertides, next to 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. The case was postponed to today to allow him to place an attorney on record and to decide whether he will apply for bail.

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

Viljoen responds to claims

George Herald contacted Viljoen after his name surfaced on social media to ask for his response to the allegations and why he was mentioned in one of Van Heerden’s final messages. Viljoen denied that he was a cult leader.

According to Viljoen, he 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 where 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, adding 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, stating that they were close friends.

Previous altercation referenced

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 on a neighbouring farm and felt threatened when Van Druten 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. 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.

‘I had nothing to do with her death’

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

He said he has been deeply affected by the allegations on social media and believes Swart should account for claims 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 the 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 the allegations have distressed his family and friends and damaged his reputation among former clients, when he worked as a builder, and members of congregations he 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 was published.

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