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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Tuesday, 1 October 2024, the world celebrated International Day of Older Persons under the theme “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older People Worldwide”.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just days earlier, on Saturday 28 September, the body of 87-year-old </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ellen Malan</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was found after she was murdered inside her house in Steenbokberg Street, Tafelsig, Mitchell’s Plain. She was found lying on the floor in her bedroom.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2391494\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Vince-granny-Ellen-Malan.jpg\" alt=\"granny killed\" width=\"586\" height=\"808\" /> <em>The body of granny Ellen Malan (87) was found tied up in her bedroom in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain on Saturday, 29 October. (Photo: Supplied)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg, the motive for the murder is unknown. The suspects fled the scene and have yet to be apprehended.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malan’s grandson Graeme Malan, 37, told Daily Maverick that neighbours heard a commotion inside his grandmother’s home around 2am on Saturday. However, it wasn’t until later that day, when her son-in-law Dimitri Karelse delivered food to her at around noon, that he discovered her tied up in the corner of her bedroom.</span>\r\n<h4><b>‘Glue of the family’</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking to Daily Maverick, Graeme Malan said he didn’t want to talk about the incident, but rather share fond memories of his granny.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It’s difficult for the family. We considered her to be the family’s glue. When we spoke with her, she always made us smile and laugh. She was an incredible lady, always involved with church activities, guiding us and giving us life lessons, buying lollipops for the children.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It’s difficult because we don’t have that rock any more,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His grandmother, he added, was always someone who helped the community whenever she could; not once did they notice that she was having a bad day. Malan lived alone although family members lived close by.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“At this point, we cannot say what caused the death. We are still waiting for the autopsy report. There are rumours that her throat was slit. We cannot deny or confirm this, but we have never seen blood,” he explained.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Outcry</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Condemning the murder, </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Norman Jantjies, Mitchells Plain Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson, said they were hurt by what happened.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“This was an old lady and we as community members are supposed to look after children and vulnerable old people. As the CPF, we are calling on </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the community to protect their elderly and children,” he explained.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Jantjies, police have interviewed neighbours and he is hopeful that a breakthrough will be made and the suspects arrested.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-31-minister-mchunus-grim-sa-crime-stats-after-wc-police-shootout-call-for-urgent-action-on-extortion-murder-kidnapping-rates/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first quarter 2024/25 crime statistics</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Mitchell’s Plain was ranked eighth nationally for murder, with a total of 43 murders between April and June 2024, 20 more than the previous quarter.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roedolf Kay, national coordinator for the South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF), said the murder exemplified how vulnerable older people were to violent crime.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Older people are often viewed as easy targets by criminals, but witnessing violence against them, such as Malan’s, makes one feel nauseated. SAOPF strongly condemns the murder, and we will request that SAPS make crimes against the elderly a priority crime in the country.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wendy Kaizer-Philander, the DA Western Cape spokesperson on social development, also condemned Malan’s murder and urged law enforcement to take immediate action to bring those responsible to justice.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a statement, she said the horrific crime, which occurred during Older Persons Week, highlighted the urgent need for a greater focus on the safety and wellbeing of older persons.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Ellen Malan, a beloved figure in her community, was known for her kindness and generosity. Her senseless murder has left the community devastated. It is particularly tragic that this happened during a week dedicated to raising awareness of the issues affecting our seniors,” Kaizer-Philander said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In July 2024, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) expressed concern over the </span><a href=\"https://www.sahrc.org.za/index.php/sahrc-media/news-2/item/4060-media-advisory-sahrc-condemns-incidents-of-violence-against-older-persons\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recent acts of violence against older persons</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It condemned the violence after instances such as the killing of an elderly resident and allegations of rape at Ipeleng Bagodi old age home in North West, the viral video of a </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-17-elder-abuse-in-the-spotlight-as-teen-charged-with-assaulting-his-grandmother/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19-year-old assaulting an elderly woman</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Western Cape, and the rape and stabbing of an 83-year-old woman at Dikweteng village in Mpumalanga.</span> <b>DM</b>",
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"name": "The body of Granny Ellen Malan (87) was found tied up in her bedroom in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain on Saturday, 29 October. (Photo: Supplied)",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Tuesday, 1 October 2024, the world celebrated International Day of Older Persons under the theme “Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older People Worldwide”.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just days earlier, on Saturday 28 September, the body of 87-year-old </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ellen Malan</span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was found after she was murdered inside her house in Steenbokberg Street, Tafelsig, Mitchell’s Plain. She was found lying on the floor in her bedroom.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2391494\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"586\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2391494\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Vince-granny-Ellen-Malan.jpg\" alt=\"granny killed\" width=\"586\" height=\"808\" /> <em>The body of granny Ellen Malan (87) was found tied up in her bedroom in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain on Saturday, 29 October. (Photo: Supplied)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg, the motive for the murder is unknown. The suspects fled the scene and have yet to be apprehended.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malan’s grandson Graeme Malan, 37, told Daily Maverick that neighbours heard a commotion inside his grandmother’s home around 2am on Saturday. However, it wasn’t until later that day, when her son-in-law Dimitri Karelse delivered food to her at around noon, that he discovered her tied up in the corner of her bedroom.</span>\r\n<h4><b>‘Glue of the family’</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking to Daily Maverick, Graeme Malan said he didn’t want to talk about the incident, but rather share fond memories of his granny.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It’s difficult for the family. We considered her to be the family’s glue. When we spoke with her, she always made us smile and laugh. She was an incredible lady, always involved with church activities, guiding us and giving us life lessons, buying lollipops for the children.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“It’s difficult because we don’t have that rock any more,” he said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His grandmother, he added, was always someone who helped the community whenever she could; not once did they notice that she was having a bad day. Malan lived alone although family members lived close by.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“At this point, we cannot say what caused the death. We are still waiting for the autopsy report. There are rumours that her throat was slit. We cannot deny or confirm this, but we have never seen blood,” he explained.</span>\r\n<h4><b>Outcry</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Condemning the murder, </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Norman Jantjies, Mitchells Plain Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson, said they were hurt by what happened.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“This was an old lady and we as community members are supposed to look after children and vulnerable old people. As the CPF, we are calling on </span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the community to protect their elderly and children,” he explained.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Jantjies, police have interviewed neighbours and he is hopeful that a breakthrough will be made and the suspects arrested.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-31-minister-mchunus-grim-sa-crime-stats-after-wc-police-shootout-call-for-urgent-action-on-extortion-murder-kidnapping-rates/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first quarter 2024/25 crime statistics</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Mitchell’s Plain was ranked eighth nationally for murder, with a total of 43 murders between April and June 2024, 20 more than the previous quarter.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roedolf Kay, national coordinator for the South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF), said the murder exemplified how vulnerable older people were to violent crime.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Older people are often viewed as easy targets by criminals, but witnessing violence against them, such as Malan’s, makes one feel nauseated. SAOPF strongly condemns the murder, and we will request that SAPS make crimes against the elderly a priority crime in the country.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wendy Kaizer-Philander, the DA Western Cape spokesperson on social development, also condemned Malan’s murder and urged law enforcement to take immediate action to bring those responsible to justice.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a statement, she said the horrific crime, which occurred during Older Persons Week, highlighted the urgent need for a greater focus on the safety and wellbeing of older persons.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Ellen Malan, a beloved figure in her community, was known for her kindness and generosity. Her senseless murder has left the community devastated. It is particularly tragic that this happened during a week dedicated to raising awareness of the issues affecting our seniors,” Kaizer-Philander said.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In July 2024, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) expressed concern over the </span><a href=\"https://www.sahrc.org.za/index.php/sahrc-media/news-2/item/4060-media-advisory-sahrc-condemns-incidents-of-violence-against-older-persons\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recent acts of violence against older persons</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It condemned the violence after instances such as the killing of an elderly resident and allegations of rape at Ipeleng Bagodi old age home in North West, the viral video of a </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-17-elder-abuse-in-the-spotlight-as-teen-charged-with-assaulting-his-grandmother/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19-year-old assaulting an elderly woman</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Western Cape, and the rape and stabbing of an 83-year-old woman at Dikweteng village in Mpumalanga.</span> <b>DM</b>",
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The body of granny Ellen Malan (87) was found tied up in her bedroom in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain on Saturday, 29 October. (Photo: Supplied)