Panayiotou trial: charges spelt out in detail

The prosecution alleges that at all times the accused acted in concert with each other and conspired with each other. By association, Christopher Panayiotou, Sinethemba Nemembe and Zolani Sibeko face the following charges: COUNT 1: CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MURDER During the period September 2014 to April 21 last year, the accused allegedly conspired with each other and Luthando Siyoni to kill Jayde Panayiotou. COUNT 2: ROBBERY WITH AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES: Prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. On April 21 last year, at the Stellen Glen Complex in Deacon Road, Kabega Park, the accused allegedly used force and violence to rob Jayde of a number of rings, a cellphone, a bag containing a wallet with bank cards, a laptop and R3 500 in cash. COUNT 3: KIDNAPPING On April 21 last year, the accused allegedly deprived Jayde of her liberty by forcing her into the trunk of a vehicle. COUNT 4: MURDER: Prescribed minimum sentence of life in prison. On April 21 last year, in close proximity to the Rooihoogte Road in KwaNobuhle, near Uitenhage, the accused allegedly killed Jayde by shooting her with a firearm. COUNT 5: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM: Prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. On April 21 last year, the accused allegedly unlawfully had in their possession a 9mm semi-automatic pistol without holding a licence. COUNT 6: UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION The accused allegedly had in their possession an unknown quantity of 9mm-calibre rounds of ammunition. COUNT 7: DEFEATING OR OBSTRUCTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE (against Panayiotou only). On April 29 last year, Panayiotou allegedly instructed or encouraged Siyoni to flee Port Elizabeth to evade arrest. He is believed to have paid Siyoni R4 450 to assist him in fleeing and encouraged him to destroy evidential material, including a cellphone and sim cards. In addition, Panayiotou allegedly furnished the police with false information regarding Siyoni’s whereabouts.