It is with much dread and concern that Action Society has to share a story about yet another elderly lady that was killed in her home in cold blood. Ellen Malan (89) was found murdered in her home in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain on September 28 2024. Action Society has been mandated to oversee the case and seek justice for her family.
Her body was found with her hands tied in her house. She had eight grandchildren, 13 great–grandchildren. She would have celebrated her 90th birthday on October 15.
Members of her community described her as being “everyone’s granny”. That is how well loved and respected she was by everyone. Even though she was recovering from an illness that left her very frail at the time that she was killed, she was still determined to live independently with her children’s support. They visited every day and ensured that she was well taken care of. Malan was known for her passion for children and young people and was always willing to look after the community’s children when their parents were away at work.
Angie Abrahams said her mother enjoyed working in the garden and was a very kindhearted person. “My mother enjoyed working outside in the garden until she became sick, but yet still enjoyed life. At the same time mom was very independent and wanted to always do things by herself and wanted to live by herself. The family including myself lives around her, and so we would check on her daily. Her grandchildren used to watch Elif with her in the evenings. We really miss her,” she said.
No arrests have been made yet.
“These attacks on our elderly are spreading like a virus and it feels like nobody is aware of how bad the situation is. These criminals are cowards who prey on the most vulnerable in our society. This wonderful lady was weak and alone. She wasn’t a threat to anyone and her vulnerability was exploited. Action Society will be working closely with local authorities to ensure her killers are found and that justice is served,” said Head of Action Society’s Action Centre, Kaylynn Palm.
