The father of the convicted wife killer Christopher Panayiotou was shot dead in a street in Uitenhage in the early hours of Monday morning. 

Costa Panayiotou, 67, was shot outside the Bambi Snack Bar in Market Street, Uitenhage, at around 02:00.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Majola Nkohli confirmed the incident and said the motive for the shooting was unknown. 

In a statement issued on Monday, Captain Khaya Tonjeni said police were investigating a case of murder.

“It is alleged that … Panayiotou had just closed his shop in Market Street, Uitenhage, and was walking towards his vehicle with his assistant when unknown men accosted him near the Town Hall parking space and fatally shot him.  

“He sustained a gunshot wound in the upper body. It is also said that the suspects abducted Panayiotou’s assistant, a woman, and also stole his VW Polo.”  

Police later recovered the Polo abandoned and parked in front of a house in NU-9, Motherwell in Port Elizabeth.

Panayiotou’s assistant was later found in Kwazakhele, Port Elizabeth.

“Police opened a case of murder, hijacking and abduction with the possibility of additional charges at the later stage. 

*Article appeared on News 24