Port Elizabeth - Christopher Panayiotou, the man charged with allegedly orchestrating the murder of his school teacher wife, Jayde, will launch a formal bail application in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Thursday after spending two weeks in the St Albans prison.
The 28-year-old Panayiotou made headlines when he was arrested for allegedly being the mastermind behind the killing of his wife, Jayde, 29, the popular Riebeek College Girls’ High school teacher who was reported missing on April 21.
A day later, her body was found on a farm in Rocklands near Uitenhage. She had been shot in the head and upper body.
The killing prompted a public outpouring of grief and anger which then spilt into disbelief when it emerged that her husband was one of two men initially arrested in connection with the murder.
The husband was arrested days after Luthando Siyoli, 31, a bouncer at a nightclub owned by Panayiotou, had been arrested. A third suspect, Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30, was arrested later. All three men have been charged with murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and conspiracy to commit murder.
Even though their cases were all remanded to June 19 for their first appearance together, Panayiotou’s legal counsel Alwyn Griebenow will on Thursday argue for his client’s release on bail.
Meanwhile, a representative of the NPA said that they would oppose bail.
It is believed that Siyoli turned State witness after he led the police to Panayiotou.
While Panayiotou and Vumazonke have been being detained at the St Albans prison, it came to light that Siyoli would be be kept in the holding cells at the Humewood police station.
Though police insiders have confirmed that Siyoli was being kept away from his co-accused because he is believed to be instrumental to the State’s case, Eastern Cape police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills, said: “We do not reveal or discuss where people are detained.”
On social media, members of the public have already called on the State to deny bail to Panayiotou.
ANA