POLICE are investigating a case of murder after Uitenhage businessman, Costa Panayiotou (69) was fatally shot outside his well-known Bambi Snack Bar in Market Street on Monday at about 01:00.
According to police information, it is alleged that Panayiotou had just closed his shop and was walking towards his vehicle together with a shop assistant, when unknown men accosted him near the Uitenhage Town Hall parking area and fatally shot him.
According to Captain Khaya Tonjeni, “Panayiotou sustained a gunshot wound in the upper body. The suspects abducted Panayiotou’s woman assistant and also stole his VW Polo.
“Soon afterwards, police recovered a vehicle abandoned and parked in front of a house in NU-9, Motherwell whilst Panayiotou’s assistant was later found in Kwazakhele,” said Captain Tonjeni.
The case of murder, hijacking, rape, abduction and robbery has been handed over to the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit, a unit investigating a spate of assassinations in Nelson Mandela Bay that are linked to the SMME and taxi industries.
- Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects is urged to contact the investigating officer, Detective Captain Josh Victor at 082 319 9204 or 041 922 0723. The information may also be shared via Crime Stop 08600 10111. All information is strictly confidential and callers have the right to remain anonymous.
