Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Fourth arrest in Jayde Panayiotou murder case
A 28-YEAR-OLD man appeared briefly in Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s court yesterday in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Jayde Panayiotou, police said.
Police spokeswoman Brigadier Miranda Mills said the case against Sinethemba Nenembe – who faces a charge of murder and kidnapping – was adjourned to December 2, when he will appear in court with his co-accused, Christopher Panayiotou, who is the dead woman’s husband, and Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30.
Jayde, 29, was abducted outside her home in April.
She was assaulted, thrown in the boot of a rental car and shot twice in the back and once in the head.
Her body was found on the outskirts of KwaNobuhle township in Uitenhage a day after she disappeared.
Nenembe is the fourth person to be arrested in connection with Jayde’s murder, which the state alleges was orchestrated by her husband.
Charges against the alleged middleman, Luthando Siyoli, an employee of Christopher Panayiotou, were dropped after he turned state witness.
Mills said Nenembe was also facing murder and robbery charges in connection with the murder of 72-year-old Denise Webber.
“The suspect was already in custody at the St Alban’s Correctional Facility in Port Elizabeth in connection with the murder of Denise Webber on August 20, 2015 in Kabega Park, Port Elizabeth, when detectives uncovered evidence that positively linked him to the Panayiotou murder,” she said.
In early September Vumazonke’s 23- year old cousin, Thandoxolo Vumazonke, was arrested in connection with the Webber murder.
According to the state, Panayiotou was drowning in debt owed on his luxury car and properties.
He owed R2.2 million for a Lovemore Heights property – reportedly bought for Jayde – and more than R500 000 on his Stellen Glen Home.
At Panayiotou’s bail hearing in May, prosecutor Marius Stander told the court that he believed the accused’s debt piled up as he struggled to keep his wife and alleged mistress Chanelle Coutts happy and that this was his main motive for having Jayde murdered.
Panayiotou and Vumazonke are in custody awaiting trial. – ANA