Convicted wife murderer was involved in illegal South African online gambling enterprise

Christopher Panayiotou, a Grahamstown businessman recently convicted of murdering his 29-year-old wife Jayde, has been named as one of four individuals allegedly involved in an illegal and unlicensed online gambling enterprise operated behind an internet cafe front.

The enterprise, which generated up to around SA Rands 30,000 a week in profits, was infiltrated in a police sting operation which led to the confiscation of 30 computers and other evidential material, according to South African media reports. The enterprise was trading under the title Ruskopoint Pty (Ltd).

Panayiotou, his father and two family friends, one an IT specialist, stand accused of creating and operating the project, the assets of which were ordered forfeited to the state by Acting Judge Yolanda Renqe in the Grahamstown High Court.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit made the application, claiming Panayiotou, his father Costa, former Port Elizabeth bank manager Phillip Vosloo and his son and IT expert, Donovan, had played a role in the operation from behind the scenes.

The company listed its sole director as one Bulelani Gaqa, a person that an employee at the internet cafe said she had never heard of or seen.

Panayiotou (31) was convicted this week of orchestrating the kidnapping and murder of his schoolteacher wife, Jayde.

Legal representatives of Ruskopoint said they intended to take the case on appeal, claiming the judgement was incorrect and materially flawed.