Crowd gathers ahead of Panayiotou's bail application

Panayiotou’s bail application is set to continue, with both the state prosecutor, Marius Stander and defence advocate Terry Price to submit their heads of argument.

 

The 28-year-old faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder‚ kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the ends of justice. Thando Siyoli‚ 31‚ and Sizwezakhe Vumazonke‚ 30‚ are Panayiotou’s co-accused.

 

By 08:30, the courtroom was still locked and Christopher’s family had not yet arrived.

 

One of those waiting patiently for court to start was Gary Koekemoer, from Bet Sheekoom, which is a local NPO that provides shelter for women in crisis.

 

“We are here to take a stand against domestic violence and femicide and to raise awareness of the prevalent violence against women," he told News24.

 

Koekemoer said that a woman in South Africa was killed by an intimate partner every three hours, and that 72% of women in South Africa would experience some sort of domestic violence in their lifetime.

 

Author : Derrick Spies, News24

NewsWire ID: 4149

(File Photo: Gallo Images)