Greenfields resident praised for intervening in alleged assault of schoolgirl - IOL

Charles February saw the man walk with the child and followed after them.

A 64-year-old grandfather from Greenfields, near Blackheath, has been hailed as a hero after his quick intervention saved an eight-year-old schoolgirl from a suspected sexual assault.

Charles February said he had just returned home after taking his grandchildren to school when something unusual caught his attention outside his Franschhoek Street home on Friday morning.

What followed, he said, was instinct.

SAPS has confirmed that a rape case was registered at Kleinvlei police station following an incident involving a young girl at about 7.20am.

An adult man was arrested and is expected to appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court once charged.

February told the Cape Argus he had gone into his yard to feed his dog and water his plants when everything unfolded in front of him.

“I saw this little girl who looked like she was on her way to school and, looking past this girl, I saw a male adult waving to this little girl on the other side of the road,” February said.

He watched as the child crossed the road towards the man before the pair disappeared behind a boundary wall.

February 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.

“Immediately, I jumped into action by hitting him away from her, because I mean, I’m a grandparent. They are all I could think of in that moment, especially seeing how scared the little girl looked."

February and members of the community restrained the man in what he described as a “citizen’s arrest” until authorities could take over.

A video subsequently 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.

When asked what the man had done, the child can be heard saying that he told her to come with him and pull off her pants.

She further gestures that he had touched her “on her privates” while pointing towards her genital area.

The camera then turns to the suspect where he can be 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 said his actions were not about being labelled a hero, but about protecting a vulnerable child.

“I was just (there) at the right time. I thank God for placing me in that scenario,” February said.

He 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.

February has since been visited by the girl's family who thanked him for his bravery. 

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed the investigation.

“This office can confirm that a rape case was registered at Kleinvlei SAPS following an incident on Friday morning, 18 September 2026, at about 07:20, in Franschhoek Street, Greenfields, involving a young girl,” Twigg said.

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. We can confirm that an adult male was arrested and will appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court once he has been charged.”