Robert De Jonge explainer: Onkaparinga councillor, perennial candidate, political tilts revealed

A former councillor who asked a TV reporter out on a date after chaotic scenes around his latest court appearance is rarely far from a ballot sheet – or a headline. Who is Rob De Jonge?

A former Onkaparinga councillor who asked a reporter out on a date after his latest court appearance has been in the headlines before – for various reasons.

Robert De Jonge is also known to run from the courthouse, and wore sneakers for his latest appearance at Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He appeared on charges of aggravated stalking with t`he matter adjourned to a later date.

But it was bizarre scenes before and after the brief mention when a member of the public confronted him, prompting the perennial candidate to sprint away from the courthouse before he returned to ask 7NEWS reporter Hannah Foord on a date.

Unsuccessfully.

Mr De Jonge has been known to run from the media, previously running from the same reporter at the same courthouse where he had appeared on the same charges earlier this year.

Rob de Jonge. Picture: Facebook

Who is Robert De Jonge?

Mr De Jonge is a former Onkaparinga councillor and mayoral candidate whose name is rarely far from an election in his local area.

In his 2022 tilt for Onkaparinga mayor, Mr De Jonge vowed transparency and accountability to the public for all councillors.

He graduated Aberfoyle Park High School in 1992 and went on to receive “tertiary qualifications in Teaching, Business Management and Building Management”.

“Professionally, I work from Home as a Strata Complex Manager sorting out issues like Parking, Medium Density Living and Pets,” he wrote about himself on his Pimpala Candidate – Rob De Jonge page.

“I have over 16 years of service in the service industries looking after and managing many complex strata management issues.

“I have knowledge and experience in financial management and reporting, insurance, and mitigating risk management and excellent communication skills.”

Mr De Jonge also listed his address, and said he was not affiliated with any political party and “am not loyal or bias towards any of the political parties, nor do I want to see political parties in local government”.

“I’m not part of any alliance with other councillors from other wards, nor do I have any allegiances with candidates,” he wrote.

Robert De Jonge sprinted from 7NEWS cameras while protesting his innocence over a stalking charge. Picture: 7NEWS

Political tilts

Mr De Jonge told 7NEWS he would run for the seat of Black – vacated by former Opposition leader David Speirs – if he could.

It would be the latest attempt to secure public office with previous campaigns including Hurtle Vale and other local government positions.

His latest run for elected office was as recent as June this year, standing as a candidate for Pimpala Ward in the City of Onkaparinga council election.

Amid a field of 11, Mr De Jonge secured 658 of the total 4826 formal votes, coming in fourth with 13.6 per cent of the ballots.

Kim Davis was ultimately elected with more than 25 per cent of the vote.

In 2022, he ran for Hurtle Vale as an Independent, securing 915 votes in the seat ultimately won by Labor’s Nat Cook.

Two years earlier, in 2020, he ran for a seat on the Mid Coast Ward of Onkaparinga council and described himself as a “previous councillor for eight years”.

He also ran as an Independent for the seat of Fisher in December 2014, securing 3.9 per cent of the vote won by Liberal Heidi Harris.

A candidate profile on the Electoral Commission of South Australia bizarrely switches between the first and third person when describing Mr De Jonge.

It starts in the first person in which he says “safe and healthy community is important” and that he was a family man.

It later switches to the third person before switching back again

“Workwise, Rob is self-employed for the last 11 years,” the profile said.

“I absolutely love assisting community groups and listening and helping constituents.

“I am keen to continue leading the community with a common sense and frugal approach.”

Rob de Jonge. Picture: Facebook

Whisky reward

Mr De Jonge offered up a quirky reward for any information on the whereabouts of his campaign truck he claimed was stolen during his 2022 bid for council.

He offered a bottle of Jack Daniel’s whisky to whoever returned the truck, emblazoned with his campaign slogan “Rob can do the job”.

The truck, which also had his campaign promises for a train to Aldinga and a nature walk at Witton Bluff, volunteer movie nights, action on climate change, and more playgrounds for children, had been parked just off the exit lanes leading onto South Road.

Mr De Jonge had put out an appeal on the popular Facebook page Onkaparinga Council Watch with a “feeling sad” status saying: “URGENT. Have you seen my ROB Truck? MISSING from Southern Expressway. Reward for Information. (Bottle of Jack Daniels)”.

Mr De Jonge denied claims by residents commenting on the site that the truck should not have been parked on or near the expressway, but on Facebook several speculated that it may have been removed, not stolen.

Onkaparinga Council candidate Rob De Jong offered a bottle of Jack Daniels to get his truck back. Picture: Onkaparinga Council Watch.

Court appearance

Mr De Jong had appeared in court earlier this month, but was recently granted home detention bail after a desperate “final chance” plea to return to the community.

Defence counsel for the ex-councillor told Ms Schulz he had “serious concerns” for his client’s mental health, and highlighted the “enormous upheaval” his family had endured throughout the alleged offending.

At an appearance in September, a prosecutor alleged Mr De Jonge left notes for a woman and followed her to a town 160km outside Adelaide.

A police prosecutor suggested there was “some kind of tracking” involved.

Last week, the prosecution told the court the defendant’s actions had caused his alleged victim to “fear leaving her address”, and submitted she “felt safer” knowing the accused was in custody.