A 32-year-old man has been arrested after police found a three-year-old girl alone on the Sea Point promenade on Youth Day.
According to Daily Voice, which cited the South African Police Service, runners noticed the child sitting by herself on Tuesday, 16 June 2026. They alerted Public Order Policing members who were deployed nearby during a protest march.
Police Open Sea Point Child Abandonment Case
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk told Daily Voice that POPS members were doing visible policing at the Sea Point promenade when they were alerted to the child.
The girl was reportedly found near the Mandela glasses installation. Officers took her to Sea Point SAPS and made inquiries in the area.
Van Wyk said a man later came forward and reported that he was the child’s father. Police then opened a Sea Point child abandonment case for investigation.
“A 32-year-old male was arrested and will appear in court soon for the mentioned charge,” Van Wyk said, according to Daily Voice.
Child Handed to Social Development
SAPS said the child was handed to personnel from the Department of Social Development after the incident.
Daily Voice reported that Independent Media contacted the Western Cape Department of Social Development for comment, but no response had been received before publication.
The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 sets out protections for children in South Africa, including care and protection measures. The Western Cape Government also says its Department of Social Development has a statutory duty to act on reports of child abuse or neglect.
Responses and Next Steps
Police have not yet announced a court date for the man. No further details about the child’s condition, her family circumstances, or the outcome of Social Development’s intervention were available from the verified sources reviewed.