A 64-year-old grandfather from Greenfields, near Blackheath, has been praised for his bravery after intervening in an alleged sexual assault on an eight-year-old schoolgirl. Charles February 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 little girl who looked like she was on her way to school and, looking past this girl, he saw a male adult waving to this little girl on the other side of the road.
February watched as the child crossed the road towards the man before the pair disappeared behind a boundary wall. He immediately alerted the scholar transport driver who had stopped by him for a chat and the two rushed across the road behind the girl and the man to investigate. February said they found the man and child concealed near a wall and electricity box. The quick thinking of February and the transport driver may have prevented a serious crime from occurring.
February said he jumped into action by hitting the man away from the girl, because he thought of his own grandchildren and was concerned for the little girl's safety. Community members restrained the suspect in what February described as a “citizen’s arrest” until authorities could take over. The suspect was later arrested and is expected to appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court once charged.
A video shared on social media shows a female community member speaking to the little girl, who is still dressed in her school uniform, about what had allegedly happened. The child can be heard saying that the man told her to come with him and pull off her pants, and that he had touched her “on her privates”. The video provides disturbing insight into the traumatic experience of the young girl.
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 concern that the suspect had been able to operate in the area without being detected earlier. February's actions have been widely praised by the community.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed that a rape case was registered at Kleinvlei SAPS following the incident on Friday morning. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Twigg said an adult male was arrested and will appear in court once charged. The police investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released in due course.
February has since been visited by the girl's family who thanked him for his bravery. He said his actions were not about being labelled a hero, but about protecting a vulnerable child. February also raised concerns about overgrown areas close to where the incident allegedly occurred, saying bushes and poorly maintained spaces could place children at further risk.
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 male, was arrested and is expected to appear in court.
- The incident has raised concerns about child safety and the need for community vigilance.
