Surprise twist in Jayde murder trial as State closes its case

THE prosecution yesterday closed its case in the long murder trial against Christopher Panayiotou and his two co-accused in the Port Elizabeth High Court.

The State was expected to call investigating officer, Captain Kanna Swanepoel, to the stand. However, in a surprise move, that did not materialise.

Instead, Warrant Officer Shane Bosch, from the police’s organised crime unit. was called as the State’s final witness. Bosch arrested Zolani Sibeko.

Defence attorney Peter Daubermann asked him about Sibeko’s arrest at his parental home.

Bosch said when he arrested Sibeko in connection with Jayde Panayiotou’s murder, he “appeared shocked”.

Bosch said he had informed Sibeko of his rights, including his right to an attorney, but he did not respond. However, Daubermann insisted Bosch did not give Sibeko the opportunity to contact a lawyer. “I informed him of his right to an attorney. I was arresting him for a serious charge. I assume if he wanted one he would say something.”

After arresting Sibeko, Bosch handed him to Swanepoel and searched for his cellphone in a bedroom. He said an elderly woman in the room turned around and flashed open her night gown, saying she had “nothing to hide”. But Bosch then saw a cellphone light flash and she was asked to produce the phone.

Daubermann placed a map before court that showed Sibeko would have had to travel past Jayde’s residence to get to his home in Greenbushes. Cellphone plotting had shown Sibeko was in the vicinity of Jayde’s home in the days before her kidnapping and murder. Her husband is accused of plotting to have her killed. – ANA