In addition to the OK Grocer and Infinity nightclub, murder accused Christopher Panayiotou ran a two in one business, an internet cafe and gambling operation called “Inet Lounge”, and the business was registered in the name of a 26-year-old employee, the Port Elizabeth High Court heard on Thursday.
Laurika Booi from Missionvale testified on the 17th day of the trial against Panayiotou, her ex-boss, and his two co-accused Sinethemba Nenembe and Zolani Sibeko.
Booi said that she didn’t know why Christopher registered the business in her name.
“Christopher requested me to put the business in my name, I don’t know why,” she said.
Advocate Terry Price objected to the State leading Booi’s evidence and accused Prosecutor Marius Stander of attempting to paint Panayiotou with “every bad brush”.
“Are we involved with illegal gambling? Fraud?” asked Price.
“There is an allegation that accused number 1 paid R80 000 to have his wife killed, we are looking at alternative sources of income, where that money could have possibly come from,” said Stander.
It is alleged that Panayiotou paid Luthando Siyoni, a bouncer from his Infinity nightclub, to hire hitman Sizwe Vumazonke to kidnap and kill Jayde. The State alleges the school teacher was kidnapped outside her Stellen Glen Complex and driven to a remote area on the outskirts of Kwanobuhle where she was shot twice in the back and once through the head.
The State alleges that Nenembe assisted Vumazonke to kidnap and murder Jayde at the behest of her husband. Vumazonke has since died.
Booi told the court that Inet lounge, situated in Cotswold, barely made money.
“Honestly speaking not much money, some people were only purchasing R50 cards..we kept a float of R3000,” said Booi.
Booi also said the business had no landline, and if Panayiotou wanted to call staff, he would do so via their cell phones.
The trial continues.
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