CAPE TOWN – The lawyer for the man who is alleged to have shot and killed Port Elizabeth teacher Jayde Panayiotou says she is still in the dark about the cause of her client’s death.
Sizwezakhe Vumazonke died at the Livingstone Hospital in the early hours of this morning, after being in a coma for days.
Vumazonke had apparently been suffering from an unknown illness for weeks, while incarcerated at the St Albans Prison in connection with Panayiotou’s death.
He was supposed to go on trial along with three others, including the victim’s husband Christopher Panayiotou, in October.
His lawyer, Michelle Blignaut, says she also can’t confirm suspicions that Vumazonke could possibly have been poisoned.
“Literally every day I went to go check up on my client, and when I got there this morning I was informed that he had passed away. I also have so many questions, and I have no answers.”
Blignaut says she does not know what the cause of her client’s death is.
“I have been given the run around. Since he has been admitted to hospital, I have asked what his condition is or is there an explanation to his condition? Everybody kept referring me to the superintendent.”
Blignaut says the deceased’s family is angry that they were not notified of his death.
“They actually had to read that he passed away on Facebook because no one informed them. Correctional Services didn’t inform them, the hospital didn’t inform them.”
She claims Vumazonke’s family is also in the dark about the cause of death and details of his illness.
“I have told the family that they should insist on a post-mortem for answers.”
(Edited by Masechaba Sefularo)
Article source: http://ewn.co.za/2016/09/07/Vumazonkes-lawyer-in-the-dark-over-his-death
