#PanayiotouTrial: SA awaits justice for Jayde Panayiotou

#PanayiotouTrial: SA awaits justice for Jayde Panayiotou Doreen Loubser via Twitter

Update 4.40pm: Christopher Panayiotou has been found guilty of murder. His accomplice Sinethemba Nemembe was found guilty of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Zolani Sibeko was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. They will be sentenced on 17 November.

Original article: It’s been quite the week for South African men accused of killing or conspiring to kill their family, and the nation is ready for justice to finally be served in at least one case.

As Henri van Breda — accused of murdering three family members with an axe and severely injuring his younger sister — testifies as the defence’s final witness in his own case, Christopher Panayiotou faces judgment today (2 November, his birthday) in Port Elizabeth on charges of conspiring, kidnapping, robbing and killing his wife, Jayde.

High school teacher Jayde Panayiotou was reported missing 21 April 2015. Police launched a massive search for her, and Jayde quickly became social media’s focus with the hashtag #FindJayde.

The next day, her body was found a ditch. Her kidnappers were arrested and implicated the husband in the investigation — and it’s D-day for his judgment.

Like with van Breda, social media has been calling for Panayiotou’s guilty judgment.

Aside from calls for Panayiotou to be found guilty, Twitter was also filled with sadness for the victims of gender-based violence.

The judgment continues.

Featured image: screenshot, Doreen Loubser via Twitter

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