Greenfields grandfather hailed a hero after rescuing eight-year-old girl from alleged sexual assault

A 64-year-old grandfather from Greenfields, near Blackheath, has been hailed as a hero after rescuing an eight-year-old girl from what appeared to be a sexual assault. Charles February, who had just returned home from taking his grandchildren to school, noticed something unusual outside his Franschhoek Street home on Friday morning.

He witnessed an adult male waving to the young girl who was on her way to school and, as she crossed the road, the pair disappeared behind a boundary wall. February immediately alerted the scholar transport driver and together they restrained the man, describing their actions as a "citizen's arrest" until authorities arrived. The girl, still clad in her school uniform, told February that the man had allegedly told her to come with him and had touched her inappropriately, causing February to describe the incident as deeply disturbing.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and is expected to appear in court. February emphasized that his actions were not motivated by a desire for recognition, but rather a desire to protect a vulnerable child.

Brief written by urgent.news from IOL's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.