‘Murder middleman’ to finally stand trial
Panayiotou’s husband serving life term in jail
More than six years after the murder of Kariega school teacher Jayde Panayiotou, the alleged middleman, who went on the run after being declared a hostile witness, will finally have his day in court.
Former state witness Luthando Siyoni, 37, will stand trial for murder and conspiracy to commit murder, after being arrested for Panayiotou’s April 2015 murder.
The former employee of Panayiotou’s husband, Christopher, was declared a hostile witness after he changed his version of events and refused to answer questions put to him during the trial.
Christopher is already serving a life sentence for orchestrating the hit on his wife.
Siyoni was the first person to be arrested in connection with the murder after police received a tip-off.
After his arrest, Siyoni quickly made a confession and gave details of the kidnapping and murder in statements from him and his girlfriend, Babalwa Breakfast.
After losing his indemnity as a state witness, charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder were reinstated against Siyoni.
He was nabbed by police at his home in KwaZakhele, Gqeberha, in May 2019 after being on the run for nearly six months.
Yesterday, state advocate Ismat Cerfontein told Gqeberha High Court judge Elna Revelas the state was ready for trial.
Defence advocate Siphokazi Cubungu confirmed the date of May 24 would be appropriate and that she would consult with Siyoni before then.