A community is celebrating three local men whose quick thinking and selfless actions helped an elderly woman recover her belongings after she was attacked and robbed on her way to church in Clarens.
Clarens, South Africa (08 June 2026) – When an elderly woman was attacked and robbed while walking to church, her cries for help rang out across the neighbourhood. Terrified but determined, she chased after the man who had stolen her handbag, shouting for assistance as she ran.
Those cries were heard by Daimon Findlay, Thabang Koto and Cliff Mzangwa.
Without stopping to weigh up the risks or wondering whether someone else would intervene, the three men immediately sprang into action.
The story first came to light when Vanessa Jarvis Findlay shared an emotional Facebook post praising her husband, Daimon, and two members of their team for their actions. But when Good Things Guy sat down with Vanessa to hear what really happened that morning, it became clear that this was about far more than a recovered handbag. It was about community. And it was about ordinary people making extraordinary choices when another human being needed help.
Vanessa explains that Thabang and Cliff are not simply employees.
“They are family,” she says.
The three men have known one another for years. Thabang grew up in the village on Daimon’s family farm, where the two spent their childhood playing football together. When Vanessa and Daimon opened their businesses in Clarens, it was only natural that Thabang would become part of the team. Cliff, meanwhile, is one of the town’s most familiar faces. A former Free State football player, he remains involved in the sport and is widely respected throughout the community. Over the years, the friendship between Daimon, Thabang and Cliff has grown into something much deeper than a working relationship.
When the elderly woman’s screams pierced the morning air, that bond turned into immediate action. The three men took off after the suspect, chasing him through the streets and into nearby bushes. During the pursuit, one of them was injured but they continued. Although they were unable to physically detain the suspect themselves, their efforts proved critical. The man dropped the handbag during the chase, allowing them to recover it, and they were able to identify him and provide information that later helped authorities and community members locate and apprehend him.
According to Vanessa, the arrest ultimately became a collective effort involving an off-duty police officer, a municipal worker and other residents who joined forces to ensure the suspect was found.
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“She was deeply traumatised, shaking and sobbing,” Vanessa recalls. “When I handed her handbag back, she was overwhelmed with relief. She hugged me, thanked God repeatedly and could hardly believe that all her belongings had been recovered.”
Vanessa then walked the woman safely home and stayed with her while she tried to process what had happened.
“She was understandably distressed. But she is now with her family, being looked after and safe.”
The incident has touched many people in Clarens and those who have seen it online. Vanessa says what happened that morning was entirely in character for all three men.
“They are genuinely good men. Daimon is a fierce protector, a traditional doctor, a compassionate human being and someone who has dedicated his life to helping others. Thabang and Cliff are equally courageous, loyal and caring. They did not stop to think about whether it was dangerous or whether someone else would help. They simply heard a vulnerable person calling for assistance and instinctively acted.”
The couple’s businesses are built around helping others too. Inspired by Vanessa’s own journey as a cancer survivor, they operate a cannabis wellness business focused on health and well-being, alongside Neked Food, her award-winning restaurant, which has been recognised among South Africa’s Top 100 restaurants.
Service, healing, hospitality and community are values that shape their everyday lives. Perhaps that is why Vanessa was not entirely surprised by what happened that morning, even though she admits she was terrified as events unfolded.
“What was going through my mind during the incident was a mixture of fear, hope and overwhelming pride,” she says.
“I was frightened for the elderly woman. She had been attacked, knocked to the ground and robbed. Yet despite her ordeal, she showed incredible courage. She never stopped shouting for help. Her determination and presence of mind undoubtedly contributed to the positive outcome.”
“As I stood there holding her while she cried, I remember thinking that if anyone could get that handbag back, it would be my husband and our team. When Daimon eventually drove back up the road with the recovered handbag, I felt an enormous sense of relief and pride. I already knew I had married a good man but moments like these remind you exactly who people are when it matters most.”
For Vanessa, the lesson from that morning is remarkably simple.
“Community matters. When someone cries for help, we should answer.”
In a world where it is often easier to look away, these men chose to step forward. We should all do the same.
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