Secret video recording proves Panayiotou’s guilt – state

JAYDE Panayiotou’s murder was a contract killing and her husband’s involvement was proven by a secret video recording that took place just days later, the Port Elizabeth High Court heard yesterday.

Summarising 60 days of testimony in which 58 state witnesses were called, prosecutor Marius Stander asked Judge Dayalin Chetty to convict businessman Christopher Panayiotou, 30, of murder.

He said damning footage of selfconfessed middleman Luthando Siyoni – seemingly discussing Jayde’s murder with Panayiotou in a car park – was never challenged by the defence.

The only issue raised throughout trial was the fact that Siyoni had allegedly been beaten and did not participate in the sting voluntarily.

“It is my respectful submission that all the findings I have asked this court to make are supported by this meeting,” said Stander.

The court was packed yesterday, with curious members of the public seated on the floor.

Panayiotou’s mistress, Chanelle Coutts, once again caused a stir when she sat with the Panayiotou family and listened to proceedings.

Advocate Terry Price SC, representing Panayiotou, and attorney Peter Daubermann, for alleged hitman Sinethemba Nemembe and coconspirator Zolani Sibeko, will deliver their closing arguments on Tuesday next week.

Thereafter, Judge Chetty to deliver a verdict.

Stander yesterday called for all three accused to be convicted of murder, with Nemembe to be found guilty on an additional charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Jayde, 29, was kidnapped outside her Kabega Park home on April 21 2015, before being driven to a bushy area in KwaNobuhle, where she was executed.

Stander conceded there was not is expected enough evidence to prove which of the accused had pulled the trigger.

Sizwezakhe Vumazonke was initially charged as one of the hitmen but died before the trial got under way.

“It is my respectful submission that once the court has found Vumazonke was involved in the kidnapping and murder, and then further finds that Siyoni in fact recruited Vumazonke, the remainder of the state’s case is much simpler than originally antici Stander said.