3rd suspect in PE teacher murder ‘beaten’ by cops

Port Elizabeth – A third suspect who appeared in court on
Tuesday in connection with the murder of teacher Jayde Panayiotou, claimed his
swollen right eye was due to a police beating.

Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30, appeared briefly before magistrate
Jan van der Westhuizen in the Port Elizabeth Magistrates Court.

Vumazonke, who did not have legal representation, was
arrested on Sunday in New Brighton. He appeared wearing a blue jacket and
jeans, with his right eye visibly swollen.

When asked about the nature of his injuries, Vumazonke said
the police had beaten him.

He is the third person to be arrested in connection with the
abduction and subsequent murder of the popular Riebeek College Girl’s High
School teacher.    

A strong media contingent was again present.

Postponement

Vumazonke’s case was remanded to June 19, the same day the
murdered victim’s husband Christopher Panayiotou will appear again.

Vumazonke will remain in custody unless the attorney he
appoints requests that he apply for bail before his scheduled appearance.

On Monday Panayiotou appeared in front of Van der Westhuizen
in the same court on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping,
robbery with aggravated circumstances and murder.

Wearing a plain black suit, Panayiotou was quiet and
reserved while his case was postponed to June 19. Panayiotou will remain in
custody until then.

Jayde Panayiotou was abducted outside her Kabega Park home
on Tuesday, April 21, while waiting for her lift to the school where she
taught. She was found dead on the outskirts of the Kwanobuhle township in
Uitenhage the following day.

Another man arrested in connection with the crimes, Thando
Siyoli, 31, appeared in the same court last week. He is expected to appear in
court again on Thursday.