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Limpopo Farm Manager Raymond Papapavlou and his wife Simone.
- The murder of Groblersdal farm manager Raymond Papapavlou was allegedly planned via WhatsApp by his wife and a woman believed to be his lover, a Groblersdal court has heard.
- Sergeant Tshepo Mogano, the investigating officer, testified that Papapavlou was killed because he did not agree to a divorce.
- A friend of the couple, Patricia Ray-Lee Smith, was denied bail on Monday.
The murder of the Groblersdal farm manager, Raymond Papapavlou, was allegedly planned via WhatsApp by his wife, Simone, and a woman believed to be his lover, Patricia Ray-Lee Smith.
According to Netwerk24, this was part of the testimony heard on Smith’s bail application in Groblersdal Magistrates Court on Monday.
There were several gunshot wounds to Papapavlou’s body when he was found at his home on a farm, located between Stoffberg and Groblersdal, on October 5 at around 00:30. He was 28 years old.
Investigative Officer Sergeant Tshepo Mogano reportedly testified that Simone, 25, was wanted after she allegedly helped plan, via WhatsApp, the murder of her husband.
A charge sheet obtained by Netwerk24 indicated that Smith “unlawfully and intentionally conspired with Simone Papapavlou to aid or procure the commission or to commit a crime, that is, to unlawfully and intentionally kill Raymond Papapavlou …”
Smith, 23, is charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. She was arrested in Kempton Park on October 27, News24 previously reported.
I did not agree to divorce
Mogano reportedly told the court that the police “went to look for Simone at her home, but she was not there.”
Mogano further stated that the two women were in a relationship for months and planned the murder through WhatsApp messages “because he did not want to accept the divorce.”
Patricia Ray-Lee Smith in court.
However, Simone Papapavlou’s attorney, Louw Erasmus, told News24 that she was not “missing” and was “just a phone call away.”
Police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said earlier that more arrests were expected.
Groblersdal police spokesman, Chief Warrant Officer Stanley Magaela, previously told Bosveld Weekend Review that Papapavlou had been shot five times. There were no signs of fighting.
Magaela reportedly said that Papapavlou’s wife “fired several warning shots.”
On Smith’s Facebook page, Simone and Raymond Papapavlou are pictured with her. He seems to have a predilection for muscle cars.
Smith’s request for bail was dismissed Monday.
– Compiled by Riaan Grobler
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