40-Year sentence for Egyptian national in kidnapping and murder

An Egyptian national has been sentenced to 40 years’ direct imprisonment for kidnapping, murder and aggravated robbery in the Western Cape. SAPS confirmed that Mustapha Elbesherny was sentenced in theMitchells Plain Regional Courton Tuesday. “SAPS management in the Western Cape welcomes the hefty sentence handed to Mustapha Elbesherny at the Mitchells Plain Regional Court today,” said police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala.

Elbesherny was convicted in December 2025 on charges of murder, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, defeating the ends of justice, common assault and contravention of the Immigration Act. Police said Elbesherny and his co-accused were arrested in April 2023 following the disappearance of Mr Al.Shaheed, who was kidnapped and murdered on March 31, 2023. “He was reported missing at Grabouw SAPS and a multi-disciplinary team was activated to investigate the case,” Gwala said.

Investigators made a breakthrough shortly thereafter, arresting one suspect in the Eastern Cape and another in Grabouw. “Their bail bid was denied and they remained in custody while the Western Cape Provincial multi-disciplinary Anti-Kidnapping Task Team continued with the investigation,” Gwala said. The matter was transferred to the Mitchells Plain Regional Court for trial, where Elbesherny pleaded guilty on all counts.

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“Mustapha Elbesherny was sentenced to 40 years direct imprisonment and he was declared unfit to possess a firearm,” Gwala said. His co-accused will stand trial. The matter was postponed to February 26, 2026, to set a trial date.

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