Raymond Papapavlou murder: police arrest a second suspect

LIMPOPO – A second murder suspect in the Raymond Gregory Papapavlou murder case was arrested on Thursday (August 12), says the police.

The 26-year-old woman was arrested for her alleged involvement in the murder of Papapavlou after ‘rigorous’ police investigations, confirmed police spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo in a statement yesterday evening.

The deceased was shot and killed on a farm in the Rooikraal area outside Groblersdal in October 2020. According to earlier reports, the police had arrived on the scene to find his bullet-riddled body in one of the rooms while his wife was outside with other members of the community. He has sustained five gunshot wounds.

Read more: Man’s ‘bullet-ridden’ body found at farmhouse

Groblersdal police spokesperson, Adj Officer Stanley Magaela at the time told media that there were no signs of a struggle and Papapavlou was declared dead at the scene. He added that during the incident the wife reportedly shot several warning shots.

Mojapleo says investigations have now revealed that the incident, which was initially thought to be a farm attack, “is an apparent blatant and orchestrated murder”.

“Police investigations brought to light the allegation that the latest murder suspect and her female companion conspired to murder Papapavlou in an incident where the suspects reportedly made it look like a farm attack. It is further alleged that the 26-year-old woman had on May 9, 2020, attempted to poison the deceased through food poisoning. At the time the victim was admitted to a hospital and later discharged,” he explained.

Read more: Raymond Papapavlou murder: Woman (23) arrested

The first accused, 23-year-old Patricia Lee Smith, was arrested on October 27 on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder. Smith, who is reportedly the girlfriend of the suspect, appeared in the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court several times and is currently out on bail.

The Provincial police commissioner Lt Genl Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the arrest. “We applaud the investigating team for potentially uncovering what might have happened during this incident and in ensuring that the involved suspects were arrested.”

The two accused are expected to appear in the same court today on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice.