State closes argument in Panayiotou’s bail application

27 May 2015 - 15:10 By RDM News Wire

Christopher Panayiotou’s bail application on Wednesday was adjourned to allow the prosecution to secure information the conditions of incarceration should the accused be denied bail. Magistrate Abigail Beeton allowed the delay after probing prosecutor Marius Stander about the claimed strength of the state’s case.Christopher Panayiotou is alleged to have arranged his wife's murder in April through an alleged hitman Sizwesakhe Vumazonke who was allegedly instructed to make the murder look like a robbery.It is also alleged that middleman Thando Siyoli was offered R70000 to organise the hit on Jayde and‚ according to investigating officer Kanna Swanepoel‚ Siyoli then allegedly secured the services of Vumazonke to carry out the job.Jayde’s body was found a day after she was reported missing at KwaNobuhle township in Uitenhage with three gunshot wounds‚ one a close-range shot to her head and two on her body.Panayiotou has maintained that he was not involved in the killing of his wife‚ whom he was married to for two years.Stander resumed his closing argument on Wednesday morning by reiterating that Christopher Panayiotou was a flight risk‚ would likely interfere with witness and tamper with evidence.The prosecutor said that on or about April 25 or 26‚ his phone and that of his mistress Chanelle Coutts had factory resets done to them.While the defence will argue that this was to protect his family from the details of his extramarital affair being lade bare in court‚ Stander said that said the motive was more sinister – the accused wanted to hide information from the police.Stander seemed to suggest that Christopher Panayiotou was tech-savvy‚ which is borne out by his insistence that Siyoli destroy Sim cards and phones he had used to be in contact with him.The much-touted incriminating conversation between him and Siyoli was taped and a transcript of it has been widely circulated. The defence is said to be planning to have it ruled inadmissible in court.Stander also raised concerns that Christopher Panayiotou would be able to obtain travel documents and flee the country‚ even though his passport is said to be in the possession of the high commissioner.If he did flee‚ Stander argued‚ it would be a massive and lengthy undertaking to get him to return to SA to face trial. Stander also said it could take detectives up to three months to complete their investigation.Much of this time may be devoted to a detailed forensic look into Christopher Panayiotou’s financial affairs.It has been alleged that Panayiotou wanted to have Jayde killed because she was a financial burden and that he could not afford both her and his mistress Chanelle Coutts. It also emerged on Wednesday that Christopher Panayiotou has been kept in a single cell at St Alban’s Prison‚ as he is a high-profile inmate.Stander at one point said he had been told the accused was on suicide watch‚ which was furiously denied by defence advocate Terry Price.Jayde Panayiotou's mother and sister – Michelle and Toni Inggs – earlier made their first appearance at the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court.Her widower’s family‚ however‚ have been a constant feature‚ taking up the front row of the public gallery every day.“No contact between both families. No eye contact. None of them greeted each other‚” @HeraldPE tweeted‚ after the mother and sister took seats on the second row.Michelle and Toni Inggs appeared to become very emotional Stander resumed his argument against bail being granted...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.