Panayiotou bust on police video

Damning video footage taken during an undercover police sting operation was played in the High Court in Port Elizabeth yesterday, in which murder accused Christopher Panayiotou can be heard allegedly implicating himself in his wife Jayde’s killing.

“But that’s what I said to you, it became a kidnapping and murder instead of just making it a robbery outside the house,” the businessperson can be heard saying.

After a lengthy trial-within-a-trial, Judge Dayalin Chetty ruled the video recording could be admissible as evidence.

Panayiotou had met self-confessed middleman Luthando Siyoni at the Algoa Park Steers on April 29, 2015, just days after Jayde Panayiotou was shot dead.

A frantic Panayiotou can be heard saying police were watching his every move. He tells Siyoni to destroy his SIM card and cellphone and instructs the bouncer not to call him because police are tracing his phone.

Panayiotou said he never wanted the police to find out about their relationship. “What did they ask you, tell me. Did they ask if I’m involved or anything?” Panayiotou says. “I’m going to report you called me. I’m going to call the investigating officer.

“I’m going to tell them you came to see me, you wanted to borrow money because people took you for questioning for steroids. I have to tell them, they investigating me and if I lie to them they going to take me in.”

Panayiotou can be seen handing over cash to Siyoni then telling him to leave town. “I’m going to be okay as long as they never know about us, Thando. I only ever helped you with the gym. I never did anything with you. I’ll sort out your family, you hide low, you need to be gone for a few months until this thing calms down.

“There’s about five [thousand rand] there, sort yourself out, because I’m all out now, this thing has cost me a lot of money.”

Jayde’s mother and sister, Michelle and Toni Inggs, broke down in tears on listening to the contents of the video. – ANA