The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape has welcomed the hefty sentence imposed on 35-year-old Egyptian national Mustapha Elbesherny at the Mitchells Plain Regional Court.
Elbesherny was convicted in December 2025 on charges including murder, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, defeating the ends of justice, assault common, and contravention of the Immigration Act. He was sentenced to 40 years of direct imprisonment and has been declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The sentencing stems from an incident on 31 March 2023, involving the disappearance of Mr. Al.Shaheed, who was kidnapped and subsequently murdered. Elbesherny and his co-accused were arrested in April 2023 following the victim being reported missing to Grabouw SAPS.
A multi-disciplinary team was activated to investigate the case, leading to a swift breakthrough. One suspect was arrested in the Eastern Cape, while a second suspect, Elbesherny, was taken into custody in Grabouw. Their bail applications were denied, and they remained in custody while the Western Cape Provincial multi-disciplinary Anti-Kidnapping Task Team furthered the investigation.
The case was transferred to the Mitchells Plain Regional Court for trial, where Elbesherny pleaded guilty to all counts.
Elbesherny’s co-accused is scheduled to appear in court on 26 February 2026 to set a trial date.