Port Elizabeth - The man who allegedly offered Christopher Panayiotou a deal that would see him walk free from a charge of murdering his wife by assassinating a State witness at a cost of R40 000 has been tracked down.
The breakthrough was revealed in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning as the State filed the last of its affidavits in its case to oppose bail for the 28-year-old businessman.
Last week, it was revealed that someone had visited Panayiotou in prison and had offered to “make the case go away” if the accused paid him R40 000 to “take out a State witness”.
The court heard on Wednesday that an affidavit had been filedcontaining allegations made by Panayiotou’s defence that someone visited the murder accused in prison and made the offer.
Panayiotou and two others stand accused of murdering his wife, Jayde, a month ago.
Her body was found dumped in the Rocklands area a day after her disappearance.
Panayiotou 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.
During Panayiotou’s bail application hearing on Wednesday, the court heard the startling revelation that he had been visited in prison and was offered the chance to have the case disappear.
The claim was made public as Panayiotou’s defence team applied for an adjournment in proceedings to read through lengthy affidavits that had been given to them by the State.
Lawyer Theuns Roelofse, representing Panayiotou, said they needed time to study the contents of the affidavits before they could determine their position.
Prosecutor Marius Stander, however, requested the court to proceed with the matter. He argued that besides two affidavits, the remainder of the five affidavits, had been given to the defence timeously.
“One of the affidavits that was handed in this morning (Wednesday) pertains to the allegation that involves a certain person visiting the accused in prison,” Stander told the court. “This person was traced late last night (Tuesday night) and that is why an affidavit in that regard was only handed in today (on Wednesday).”
Without going into any detail, Stander said the other affidavit had to do with information the State had obtained from the Cypriot government.
The State wanted the case to continue on Wednesday, rather than adjourn for a postponement, as requested by the defence.
But magistrate Abigail Beaton lashed out at Panayiotou’s defence team saying: “What is happening here is unethical.”
She was referring to a late change in counsel for Panayiotou. He had, up until Wednesday morning, been represented by attorney Alwyn Griebenow and his team which included advocate Terry Price.
However, when court proceedings got under way, Roelofse informed the court of the last-minute change due to Price being out of town. This angered the presiding officer.
Beaton immediately said she was not happy with Price and the defence team, who according to her, did not file a notice of substitution with the court.
Nobody has given me a reason why Price is not available,” she said.
“I want you to understand one thing. In this bail court everyone has equal rights to have their matter heard.
“I am going to remand this case until tomorrow (Thursday) when Mr Price is back.
“I am not comfortable with what is happening here,” said Beaton before remanding the case.
ANA