Cape Town - Police say more arrests are likely in the abduction and murder case of Port Elizabeth teacher Jayde Panayiotou.
The story is expected to dominate news headlines on Monday when the second suspect, so far unnamed, appears for the first time in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court.
He is understood to have been close to Panayiotou.
This appearance may throw a light on key questions, including why Panayiotou was killed and who masterminded her murder.
Last week Thando Siyoli, 31, and the second suspect, 28, were arrested.
The second suspect can only be named after he has appeared in court.
On Saturday it emerged that other people may have been involved in Panayiotou’s abduction and killing.
Police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills confirmed to Weekend Argus that officers were looking into whether others may have played a role. More arrests could be made.
On one of the Facebook pages set up in honour of Panayiotou, entitled “Prayers For Jayde Panayiotou”, the administrator posted that it was believed a third party had been involved in the abduction and murder, and that money may have been a motivating factor behind the crime.
Weekend Argus understands that one of the two current suspects worked as a bouncer at the Infinity Cocktail Bar and Eatery in an Algoa Park shopping centre.
When Weekend Argus called the bar on Saturday, the man who answered refused to discuss the arrests.
Police sources said the second suspect was arrested on Wednesday when police swooped on him at a Uitenhage address after 10pm. The arrest came after police allegedly set a trap for the man, believed to be the alleged mastermind.
The sources said they swooped after the suspect made contact with his co-accused at the pub.
Siyoli allegedly demanded more money, claiming he needed it due to the hype and huge public interest surrounding the killing.
Leading Port Elizabeth attorney Alwyn Griebenow confirmed that he was representing the arrested relative.
On Facebook last year, Panayiotou’s husband Christopher Panayiotou posted a photograph of a cocktail bearing the Infinity Cocktail Bar and Eatery’s logo, and another of the menu cover. He apparently owns the establishment.
Last week police said there was a prima facie case against Siyoli, who has already appeared in court and is expected back in the dock on Thursday.
They said robbery had been ruled out as a motive.
Jayde Panayiotou, a teacher at Riebeek College Girls’ School in Uitenhage, disappeared from outside her home in Port Elizabeth on April 21 while waiting for a colleague to give her a lift.
A massive search ensued, and her body was discovered the next day near the KwaNobuhle informal settlement in Uitenhage.
Yesterday it appeared Panayiotou’s family was struggling to cope with her death, with her sister Toni Inggs posting on Facebook: “Isn’t it scary knowing that any time could be the last time you talk to someone? Keep that in mind.”
On Panayiotou’s Facebook page a number of photographs of her smiling alongside her husband were posted, and in the days after she disappeared he had pictures of the couple on his page.
Weekend Argus