Christopher Panayiotou, 28, returned to court today for the continuation of his bail application. He told the court last week that the conditions in the holding cells at St Albans prison were despicable. His co-accused are Thando Syoli, 31, and Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30.
Hes facing the following charges: Conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, kidnapping, murder and defeating the ends of justice.
CPs parents are both present. CP looks pale and haggard, and appears to have lost weight, no doubt due to despicable food.
The following is whats happened so far today:
Court starts more than one hour late. State Prosecutor Marius Stander and Alwyn Griebenow, Defence attorney, are present in court. Stander tells the court that as Defence counsel, Terry Price, isnt present (as hes not in Port Elizabeth for some inexplicable reason), Advocate Roelofse will replace him today. Magistrate Beaton isnt happy.
Magistrate Abigail Beaton is concerned that CP wont be fairly represented. Advocate Roelofse says CP is happy for him to act in Prices absence but the Defence want a postponement as the State has filed 5 affidavits and the Defence havent had an opportunity to respond. The State want to proceed but the Defence want the matter postponed until this afternoon. The Magistrate is most unimpressed and tells the Defence theyre playing for time. The State say theres no need to stand down and waste the courts time, that they can read their case onto the record and then the Defence can proceed.
Beaton reiterates that shes not happy with the change in representation and doesnt want to see a situation where the accused later claims that hes not been afforded a fair trial. Stander says 3 of the 5 affidavits were submitted timeously. Of the remaining 2, one relates to allegations from an unknown man who allegedly made contact with CP and offered to make evidence disappear. The remaining affidavit is from Cyprus and relates to CPs status and passport.
Beaton again says she wont allow any stalling of time and repeats that shes really not happy. Beaton calls a 15 minute adjournment to allow the Defence to consult with CP. When court resumes, Magistrate Beaton tells Defence Advocate Roelofse that hes speaking with a forked tongue when he asks for a postponement until 2.00pm as nothing will change between now and then. She gives him 1 hour to contact Price as to his availability. She says shes concerned about court time and that other applicants are being denied access to the court. She asks the Defence, What makes your client so special? Before the court adjourns for 1 hour, Roelofse says that he isnt sure if hell be able to contact Price between now and then as Price was flying back to Port Elizabeth and he may not be in a position to provide any additional feedback to the court. Beaton says that whoever proceeds will have to see it through to the end.
This sounds very much like Barry Roux tactics on the part of the Defence, but this Magistrate wont tolerate any nonsense. Good for her. Judge Masipa could learn a lesson or two from this Magistrate.
Court has resumed again. Roelofse says he's now been given full instructions on the State's case. CP's lawyer says he's happy to go ahead but Magistrate Beaton isn't comfortable with this so adjourns the matter until tomorrow when Terry Price will be available.
And a bit of breaking news: The co-accused (hitman) has laid assault charges against the police and will sue for a "massive amount".
