Jayde murder suspect on parole
Third accused in Bay teacher’s killing also given bail three months ago in armed robbery case
ONE of the men allegedly involved in the murder of Nelson Mandela Bay teacher Jayde Panayiotou is a convicted criminal who is still on parole. He is also facing armed robbery charges and was out on bail at the time of her killing.
The conviction was revealed by a senior Correctional Services official yesterday.
Police sources revealed that the man, Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30, had been released on bail three months ago, after allegedly robbing Dale’s Liquor store in Mount Pleasant on December 23.
In another development last night, lawyers for Jayde’s husband, Chris Panayiotou, 28, who is facing several charges in connection with her abduction and murder and is being held at St Albans Prison, said they would be applying for bail for him before his next scheduled court appearance next month.
Defence attorney Alwyn Griebenow said they were still busy with the planning at this stage, but would approach the state prosecutor soon to have a formal bail application within the next few weeks.
“We still need to get our ducks in a row and confirm some details with the state,” Griebenow said. “The application will not be within the next few days, but it will be before his next scheduled appearance.”
Vumazonke, who appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court yesterday with a badly swollen face, claimed he had been beaten by police during his arrest – which police top brass have strongly denied.
Police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills said: “At the time of his arrest, he was in a busy tavern and attempted to escape.
“Investigators indicated that there was a scuffle in the tavern, which is when he sustained these injuries.”
Asked about Vumazonke’s alleged role in the murder, Mills would not say if he was the alleged gunman.
“We can state that he was definitely involved with the abduction and murder.
“However, the
investigation will reveal what his exact role was.” She said the firearm used to shoot Jayde and the items stolen from her had not yet been recovered.
According to police insiders, forensic evidence found in the car in which Jayde was thought to have been kidnapped, allegedly placed Vumazonke at the scene and inside the car.
The car, a Mazda 323, was stolen in the Walmer area before the abduction on April 21.
Sources close to the case also revealed that Vumazonke had close ties to people in Cape Town – which is why it was initially believed he had fled town following the murder.
Mills confirmed Vumazonke was facing a separate charge of armed robbery. Police sources said Vumazonke was arrested while fleeing the scene after the Dale’s robbery.
Police caught Vumazonke and an accomplice as a group of alleged robbers fled through the entrance of the shop.
The other suspects ran towards their getaway vehicle and sped off, leaving Vumazonke and the alleged accomplice behind.
Police arrested both of them minutes later and recovered a stolen firearm allegedly used in the armed robbery.
CCTV footage also showed a man matching Vumazonke’s description hijacking a three- month
pregnant woman from underground parking at the Greenacres shopping centre in Port Elizabeth in February.
Mills declined to comment on links to that hijacking, saying only that “at this stage we are investigating all possibilities”.
During his first appearance in court yesterday in connection with Jayde’s abduction and murder, Vumazonke gave a group of photographers a quick glance before turning to face the magistrate.
In contrast to Monday’s proceedings when Panayiotou appeared in court in connection with her murder, photographers and television crews were allowed to stay in the courtroom and record the proceedings.
Vumazonke, who was dressed in jeans and a blue jacket, kept touching his right eye, which was swollen almost completely shut.
He was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
His case was postponed to June 19, the same day Panayiotou is expected to appear again.
Vumazonke indicated that he would appoint his own attorney.
Van der Westhuizen said Vumazonke would be able to bring a bail application when he had secured legal representation.
Vumazonke was then led back to the court cells and later transported to the awaiting-trial section at St Albans Prison.
Last night, a Correctional Services official said Vumazonke had been convicted in July 2011 of theft and possession of a stolen firearm and ammunition, and was sentenced to five years in prison.
He was released on parole in October 2013 after serving 2½ years of his sentence in St Albans Prison.
Although still on parole, he was released on bail three months ago after his arrest in connection with the Dale’s robbery.
In contrast to Panayiotou’s appearance, there were no protests outside court yesterday. Neither the DA Women’s Network nor members of Afriforum, who were outspoken at Monday’s proceedings, were anywhere to be seen.
The first suspect arrested in connection with Jayde’s murder, Luthando Siyoli, a bouncer at Panayiotou’s Infiniti Cocktail Bar and Eatery in Algoa Park, is due to appear in court tomorrow.
On Monday, it emerged that R30 000 had been paid to alleged middleman Siyoli, 31, which was confiscated by police when they raided his Kwazakhele home last week.
Police were tight-lipped on the amount paid to Vumazonke for his alleged part in the killing.