Grahamstown – The Grahamstown High Court will on Tuesday hand down judgment on whether Christopher Panayiotou, accused of murdering his wife Jayde, should be granted bail.Court is expected to start at 10:00.
There was strong support for Jayde at the high court.
A double-cab bakkie with “we demand justice for Jayde” and “Jayde’s disciples” stickers on the side and back was parked outside the courthouse.
Christopher Panayiotou, 28, is accused of hiring two other men to kill his schoolteacher wife, Jayde, 29.
Last week, Panayiotou’s lawyer, Mike Hellens SC, argued that his client should not be subjected to prison conditions as he was innocent until proven guilty.
Panayiotou is appealing Magistrate Abigail Beeton’s decision, handed down on June 5, to deny him bail.
Panayiotou allegedly hired Luthando Siyoli, 31, a bouncer in his employ at the Infinity club in Algoa Park, Port Elizabeth, to find a hitman, Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30, to kidnap and murder his wife.
Jayde was kidnapped on Tuesday, April 21, while waiting outside her complex in Kabega Park for her lift to Riebeek College Girls’ High School in Uitenhage, where she taught. Her body was found near KwaNobuhle, Uitenhage, the next day.
PH
