Murder accused Christopher Panayiotou’s mother, Fanoula, has on several occasions been seen following the trial of a German couple, accused of murdering Thornhill farmer Claus Schroeder, in the Port Elizabeth High Court.
Jens Leunberg and Kristina Adler are accused of defrauding Schroeder out of millions of rand through the sale of his Thornhill farm in 2009.They have both pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud and murder.
State advocate Marius Stander is prosecuting the case and is also prosecuting Panayiotou’s murder trial, which is to continue next month. Panayiotou is accused of killing his wife Jayde in 2015.
Fanoula Panayiotou was seen chatting to Leunberg during a brief court adjournment yesterday. When asked why she was interested in the trial, she said: "Can’t I be?"
In April, it emerged in court that Christopher Panayiotou’s mistress, Chanelle Coutts, visited him at prison, knowing that this was not allowed. According to the investigating officer, Coutts wrote down in the visitation book that she was visiting Leunberg at St Albans Prison.At the time, advocate Terry Price SC said the Panayiotou family were assisting Leunberg. - ANA