As this trial has been proceeding over a very long period, Ive endeavoured to pull the whole story together in summary form for our benefit as well as for any newcomers.
The abduction and murder of Jayde was meant to look like a robbery, and according to the State's case, followed several earlier failed attempts. The State asserts that CP was drowning in debt, which included outstanding payments on his vehicle, R2.2 million for a Lovemore Heights property and more than R500 000 on his Stellen Glen Home. The State believes CP was forced into further debt to keep his wife Jayde and his mistress, Chanelle Coutts, happy and that is why he allegedly decided to have his wife killed.
In September 2014, CP approached Luthando (Thando) Siyoni and asked him to source a hitman/shooter to kill someone. At that time, the name of the person was not discussed but TS eventually came to learn that it was CPs wife, Jayde.
in February 2015, Siyoni approached Sizwezakhe ("Sizwe") Vumazonke who agreed to kill her.
In early April, Vumazonke told Siyoni that he needed to rent a vehicle in order to execute the plan. Vumazonke rented a vehicle on 9 April but was unaware that the car was equipped with a tracker device.
On 4 April, Vumazonke approached his cousin, Sinethemba Nemembe, to assist in the abduction and murder. Three unsuccessful attempts to abduct Jayde took place before 21 April.
Jayde disappeared at 6:30am on 21 April. A massive search commenced and that evening police found an abandoned Mazda 323 believed to have been used in the abduction.
The following morning, the crew of a helicopter that was participating in the search noticed an object in an isolated area near a township in Uitenhage. Further investigation by members on the ground led to the recovery of her body in the area spotted from the helicopter.
Captain Willie Mayi was tipped off by a police informant about a businessman who had allegedly orchestrated the murder of his wife. After being given the names of Siyoni and his girlfriend, Babalwa Breakfast, Mayi took them in for questioning. He said Breakfast spilt the beans on her boyfriend, giving him enough ammunition to arrest Siyoni.
Unbeknownst to CP, Siyoni was arrested on 28 April. As soon as he was arrested, he identified CP as the mastermind and Vumazonke as the shooter and agreed to cooperate with the police. CP was arrested the following day.
Vumazonke was arrested on 3 May. At that time, he was out on parole for theft and illegal possession of a stolen firearm and ammunition. He subsequently died of suspected poisoning whilst in prison.
Cellphone and GPS data showed that on 15 April Zolani Sibeko had made an early morning call to Vumazonke which had been logged on the Linton Grange tower. Following the call, the GPS data showed the vehicle immediately accelerating and turning into Deacon Street, which is where the entrance is to the townhouse complex from where Jayde was abducted. Cellphone tower plotting placed Sibeko with alleged hitmen Vumazonke and Nemembe when they circled Jaydes route to work. Sibeko was allegedly present again outside Jaydes home the following day, when the planned kidnapping was aborted because the kidnappers could not trace her. Stander said he would rely on Sibekos cellphone billing and the tracking report of the alleged hit vehicle to prove the charges against Sibeko who is yet to put forward a version.
Stander said the State had two cellphone experts who would testify before the report compiled by data analyst Thereza Botha was submitted. He said, when looking at the cellphone records between April 1 and April 30, 2015, there were 163 calls made between Sibeko and Vandala and a further 89 calls between him and Vumazonke.
You can read Swanepoels sworn affidavit dated 18 May 2015
here. It's 18 pages long.
