PORT ELIZABETH - YET ANOTHER POSTPONEMENT IN PANAYIOTOU CASE DUE TO ABSENT MAGISTRATE

A bail application by murder accused Christopher Panayiotou based on an argument that new facts have come to light, was one again postponed in the Port Elizabeth magistrate’s court on Friday.

Proceedings were meant to get underway with the state submitting affidavits, but Magistrate Abigail Beeton was not at court to reside over the matter.

State Prosecutor Marius Stander is yet to argue why he thinks no new facts were established in the defence’s case.

“The state is ready, we have made copies of the documentation available to the defence in opposing bail. I’m not available on Wednesday, but an arrangement to release me will be taken up with the Judge President.. If I bind myself to Wednesday, I will be double booking myself, “ said Stander.

The defence is expected to supply the state with written replies before the next court return date.

Panayiotou is accused of orchestrating the murder of his wife‚ Jayde, in April last year. It is alleged he paid a bouncer at his Infinity night club‚ Luthando Siyoni, to hire hitman Sizwezakhe Vumazonke to kidnap and murder Jayde.

The state alleges that Sinethemba Nenembe assisted the alleged hitman Vumazonke to kidnap and kill Jayde at the behest of her husband.

Earlier this week, defence advocate Terry Price tore into the state’s case and questioned the admissibility of Siyoni’s statements made to the police. Siyoni is now a section 204 witness. This means that the court will grant him full indemnity from prosecution if it deems his testimony honest and reliable.

Price accused police of “severely beating” a confession out of Siyoni.

The indictment reveals, that Jayde’s mother Michelle, her father Derrick and sister Toni are all expected to give evidence in the trial which has been set down for October 3 until December 2 at the Port Elizabeth High Court.

Panayiotou’s 26-year-old mistress Chanelle Coutts is also expected to testify as a state witness during the trial.

Coutts is being represented by attorney Danie Gouws. According to Gouws his client has not been in contact with Panayiotou since his arrest.

Panayiotou has admitted that he had an intermittent sexual relationship with Coutts, who was a manager at his OK Grocer store. He previously told the court during a bail application that his extra-marital affair had no effect on his two-year marriage.

According to the state, Panayiotou had his wife killed because he could no longer afford to keep both his wife and mistress.The romance with Coutts reportedly started a year before he married Jayde.

The charges against the three men include conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, murder and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Panayiotou faces an additional charge of obstructing the course of justice.

Magistrate Esti Petzer postponed the matter until May 25.

VIA - iol.co.za