Panayiotou “suicide watch” reports untrue

Correctional Services top brass have dismissed media reports that murdered Port Elizabeth teacher Jayde Panayiotou's husband, Christopher, was being kept on “suicide watch” in St Albans prison.

“This is simply not true,” officials told The Herald.

“I do not want to say exactly which cell or area he is being kept in, for his own safety. I can confirm he is not in isolation for attention and there is no suspicion of suicide. I really do not know where these rumours are coming from.”

In a case that shocked the country Jayde Panayiotou was abducted outside her home last month. Her body was found the next day.

Her husband, Christopher Panayiotou, 28, made his brief appearance in court earlier this week. It also emerged that the man allegedly hired to find a hitman to kill Jayde, 29, was paid R30 000.

Panayiotou's case was postponed to June 19.  Two other suspects, Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30, and Luthando Siyoni, 31, will also appear on the same day in the same court.

- Gareth Wilson