A 64-year-old grandfather from Greenfields, near Blackheath, has been hailed as a hero after saving an eight-year-old schoolgirl from a suspected sexual assault. Charles February, the grandfather, said he had just returned home after taking his grandchildren to school when he noticed something unusual outside his Franschhoek Street home on Friday morning. He saw a man waving to the little girl on the other side of the road, and then the child crossed the road towards him before they disappeared behind a boundary wall.
February immediately alerted a scholar transport driver who had stopped by him for a chat, and the two rushed across the road to investigate. They found the man and child concealed near a wall and electricity box. February said he jumped into action by hitting the man away from the girl, as he was concerned for her safety, especially seeing how scared she looked. The quick intervention prevented a potentially traumatic incident from unfolding further.
February and members of the community restrained the suspect in what he described as a “citizen’s arrest” until authorities could take over. The suspect, an adult man, was arrested and is expected to appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court once charged. SAPS confirmed that a rape case was registered at Kleinvlei police station following the incident, which occurred at about 7:20 am.
A video shared on social media shows a female community member speaking to the little girl, who was still dressed in her school uniform, about what had allegedly happened. The child stated that the man had told her to come with him and pull off her pants, and that he had touched her “on her privates”. The suspect was seen shaking and shivering while speaking to February.
February said the incident had deeply disturbed him, particularly because the suspect had allegedly been seen around the neighbourhood before and had approached residents asking for food, clothing, and odd jobs. He expressed concerns about overgrown areas close to where the incident occurred, saying that bushes and poorly maintained spaces could place children at further risk.
The girl's family visited February to thank him for his bravery. Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed the investigation, stating that the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. February said his actions were not about being labelled a hero but about protecting a vulnerable child, adding that he was just in the right place at the right time.
The incident highlights the importance of community vigilance and the role that ordinary citizens can play in preventing crimes. February's actions serve as a testament to the impact that individuals can have when they take swift and decisive action in the face of danger. The incident is a sobering reminder of the risks that children face and the need for communities to work together to ensure their safety.
Key points
- A 64-year-old grandfather from Greenfields intervened in an alleged sexual assault on an eight-year-old schoolgirl.
- The suspect, an adult man, was arrested and is expected to appear in court once charged.
- The incident highlights the importance of community vigilance and the role that ordinary citizens can play in preventing crimes.
