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.
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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.
Even Nugget is waiting for this dooshbag to go to jail.#PanayiotouTrial pic.twitter.com/cVNHoWJQor
— jason gladwin (@jasongladwin) November 2, 2017
Hopefully justice will serve a karmic birthday gift on murder accused Christopher Panayiotou #PanayiotouTrial#uxoricide#femicide
https://t.co/0DHBLUAgnc — Sandra Reardon (@ReardonSandra) November 2, 2017
When’s this guy going to jail? #PanayiotouTrial pic.twitter.com/AypADqbiEu
— jason gladwin (@jasongladwin) November 1, 2017
Aside from calls for Panayiotou to be found guilty, Twitter was also filled with sadness for the victims of gender-based violence.
Paying hitmen to kill your wife, waking up next to her in the morning knowing it’ll be her last n still deny it in court. #PanayiotouTrial
— Chai Tea (@XLomzi_) November 2, 2017
We want #Justice4Jayde & Justice for all women victims from domestic abuse / murder! Not few years &parole! LIFE Sentence! #PanayiotouTrial
— Mariana J.Fernandes (@marianajfe) June 21, 2017
The judgment continues.
Featured image: screenshot, Doreen Loubser via Twitter
