Port Elizabeth – The three men accused of murdering Jayde Panayiotou appeared together in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court for the first time on Friday.
Christopher Panayiotou, 28, Thando Siyoli, 31, and Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30, will be back in court on August 13.
They stand accused of conspiring to murder Jayde, who disappeared while waiting for a lift to the school where she taught, on April 21. Her body was found the following day.
Appearing briefly before magistrate Jan Steenkamp, the three men appeared tense. Panayiotou’s family once again filled the front row, along with Vumazonke’s sister.
Jayde’s mother Michelle Inngs and sister Toni were also in court, with Toni once again remaining standing as Panayiotou was brought into court.
Public prosecutor Marius Stander told the court the various parties had agreed to have the matter remanded to August 13.
Panayiotou had previously failed to get bail following a drawn-out application in which Magistrate Abigail Beeton said the State’s case was “reasonably strong” and “decisive”.
He is expected to appeal against the decision, which will be heard later this month in either the High Court in Port Elizabeth or Grahamstown.
Derrick Spies, News24 Correspondent
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