Well this story just seems to gather momentum with each passing day and the latest development is quite the bombshell.
Christopher Panayiotou appeared in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, and it was during the filing of the affidavits that the court learned of a certain visitor he received whilst in prison. Here’s IOL:
…it was revealed that someone had visited Panayiotou in prison and had offered to “make the case go away” if the accused paid him R40 000 to “take out a State witness”.
The claim was made public as Panayiotou’s defence team applied for an adjournment in proceedings to read through lengthy affidavits that had been given to them by the State.
There was some confusion over who exactly Panayiotou’s legal counsel was. Magistrate Abigail Beaton had been informed that Alwyn Griebenow would represent the defendant along with advocate Terry Price, but the advocate was nowhere to be seen during the filing of the affidavits. This drew the ire of Beaton:
…she was not happy with Price and the defence team, who according to her, did not file a notice of substitution with the court.
Nobody has given me a reason why Price is not available,” she said.
“I want you to understand one thing. In this bail court everyone has equal rights to have their matter heard.
“I am going to remand this case until tomorrow (Thursday) when Mr Price is back.
“I am not comfortable with what is happening here,” said Beaton before remanding the case.
Looks like we may be in for more fireworks today. Let’s just hope for everyone’s sakes this doesn’t turn into another long, drawn out Oscar Pistorius scenario
[source:iol]
