Nearly two years after 87-year-old Kathleen “Ellen” Malan was found tied up and strangled in her Tafelsig home, Action Society is seeking clarity from SAPS on which investigative avenues remain active after DNA results failed to link the person of interest identified by her family to the crime.
Malan was murdered during the night of 27 to 28 September 2024. Her son-in-law reportedly found her body in her bedroom when he arrived the following day to deliver her daily meal. Her hands had been tied, her mouth covered, and she had been strangled.
Known in her community as “everyone’s granny”, Malan was a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was remembered for her kindness and for looking after children while their parents worked.
The circumstances surrounding her murder remain deeply troubling. According to Malan’s family, nothing of significant value appeared to have been stolen. DJ equipment stored in the house was left untouched, while only cigarettes and a packet of chips appeared to be missing.
No suspect has been linked to her murder.
Action Society has been monitoring the investigation on behalf of Malan’s family and has engaged SAPS, the National Forensic DNA Board and the Director of Public Prosecutions in an effort to obtain progress and accountability.
Seven DNA samples were initially obtained from persons of interest. Four were excluded during the initial comparison, while three had to be retaken. The required samples were subsequently obtained. SAPS and the family have now confirmed that the DNA results did not link the person whom the family believed may have been responsible for Malan’s murder.
Fingerprints recovered from the crime scene also remain unidentified.
The docket was previously referred back to SAPS by the DPP for further investigation. Mitchells Plain SAPS subsequently indicated that the requested investigation had been completed and that the docket was resubmitted to the DPP on 6 July 2026 for further consideration.
Action Society acknowledges the substantive feedback received from SAPS and the continued communication between the investigating officer and Malan’s family. However, the exclusion of one person of interest does not resolve the murder.
“We now need to know what happens next. Are other persons of interest, witnesses or sources of information being investigated? Are detectives actively pursuing further leads, or is the case now dependent on a future forensic match or someone coming forward with new information?” asks Juanita du Preez, national spokesperson for Action Society.
“A DNA result that excludes one person may close off one line of enquiry, but it cannot bring the entire investigation to a standstill. An elderly woman was bound and strangled in her own bedroom. Almost two years later, her family still does not know who killed her or why.”
Action Society will direct a further enquiry to the investigating officer and Mitchells Plain SAPS requesting clarity on the current investigative position, including whether further conventional investigative avenues remain available.
“Ellen’s murder remains unsolved. Her family deserves more than an open docket waiting for a future forensic match. Every reasonable avenue must be pursued to identify the person who murdered her,” says Du Preez.
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