Panayiotou matter postponed

A PORT Elizabeth magistrate took it upon herself yesterday to postpone the bail application of murder accused Christopher Panayiotou after there was a last-minute change to his legal team – a move which angered the presiding officer.

Magistrate Abigail Beaton postponed the bail hearing because she was “not comfortable” with the accused giving instructions to a stand-in attorney who had been brought in to represent him.

Panayiotou, 28, is applying for bail after being arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping and murder of his schoolteacher wife.

Port Elizabeth lawyer Theuns Roelofse represented Panayiotou in court yesterday, on instruction of attorney Alwyn Griebenow, in the absence of his regular advocate, Terry Price. When the case started, Roelofse told the court he would stand in for Price, who was unavailable because he was out of town.

Beaton immediately said she was not happy with Price and the defence team, who according to her did not file a notice of substitution with the court.

Roelofse then asked the court for an adjournment, saying they had lengthy affidavits to read. They needed time to study the contents.

Beaton gave the defence until noon to state their position on whether the bail application could proceed.

When the court resumed Panayiotou told Beaton he had given Roelofse instructions to represent him.

In response, Beaton said: “I am going to remand this case until tomorrow when Mr Price is back.” – ANA