MyPE

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Give a thought to Christopher Panayiotou’s parents

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Consta and Fanoula Panayiotou, parents of Christopher, have been in court supporting their son throughout the trial. That support must have extended to financial as well – defending accusations in a marathon trial in the High Court can not have come cheap. (My recent experience with an Advocate ran to a discounted rate of R37 000 for the day)

In addition to the stigma of supporting their son they must be facing acute financial hardship in the coming years after financing their son’s defence with more than 60 days of witness testimony. Add instructing lawyers fees, junior counsel and other fees to the estimated bill and a figure of R4 million is probably conservative.

Many questions will be asked and the top one will probably be if they think it was worth it? One can only hope that their son can repay the absolute unconditional love and faith that his parents displayed by courting financial ruin in his defense.

To the tragic victim of his wife, Jayde, we must now add the other victims of Panayiotou’s evil mind – his parents, and family plus that of Jayde’s parents and family.

Port Elizabeth businessman Christopher Panayiotou has been found guilty of the murder of his wife, Jayde. Judge Dayilin Chetty delivered his judgement in the Port Elizabeth High Court. Panayiotou and his co-accused Zolani Sibeko and Sinethemba Nemembe were tried for conspiring to commit murder, murder, abduction and defeating the ends of justice. Panayiotou was the mastermind behind the abduction and murder of Jayde in 2015. She was abducted outside her house by the hit-men, shot in execution style and her body found a day later in a open field in Kwanobhule. Panayiotou’s defence team has indicated that they will appeal the conviction.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.