Cape Town – Western Cape police have arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with the kidnapping of a 34-year-old mother, Shireen Essop.
In a statement, police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, saying that the suspect was caught in possession of stolen items believed to be belonging to Shireen.
“As part of elaborate investigations into the disappearance of 34-year-old Shireen Essop and her subsequent return, Organised Crime Detectives armed with intelligence arrested a 28-year-old suspect on a charge of possession of stolen property believed to be that of kidnapping victim, Shireen Essop. He is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates court on Thursday,” said Potelwa.
Shireen went missing on May 23.
On the day she went missing, she was driving home in her white Toyota.
The car was recovered but with no trace of her.
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Shireen was reportedly found safe by Cape Town’s Klipfontein Neighbourhood Watch (KNW) and reunited with her family on June 11.
Her return, however, sent tongues wagging on social media as the family and police remained mum about what exactly happened.
Rumours that Shireen had fabricated the kidnapping to go on a drug spree in Durban started spreading, while some alleged that the kidnapping was about siblings’ rivalry over family business, reported News24.
Family spokesperson, Hameed Essop, however, rubbished the rumours as “lies” and denied that Shireen was in Durban or that she took drugs.
The police said that further details about the case were expected to emerge in court during the court appearance.
“As investigations into the case continue the arrest of more suspects cannot be ruled out. Further details about the case are expected to emerge in court during the appearance of the arrested suspect,” Potelwa said.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
