Iain Wares found guilty in a historic child abuse case, bringing justice to survivors
Former teacher Iain Wares appears in the dock at the Wynberg Regional Court in Cape Town, where he was found guilty in a historic abuse case.
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For more than three decades, he carried what he describes as shame, anger and doubt.
On Monday, that changed.
The Wynberg Court has found former teacher Iain Wares guilty in a historic child abuse case, bringing a measure of closure for the complainant, known as “Stephen”, whose testimony was accepted despite a delay of 35 years.
“I have waited 35 years for this day. I am overwhelmed and have a sense of relief from the shame, anger and doubt that has bottled up due to this teacher’s abuse he left me with. I can now prioritise my healing and peace for my family,” he said.
The judgment, delivered on Monday, found that the State had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, with the court accepting Stephen as a credible witness despite extensive cross-examination and repeated attempts by the defence to challenge his account.
In its ruling, the court rejected the defence’s version, pointing to contradictions, including Wares’ denial that he knew the complainant despite evidence that he had taught and coached him.
During the trial, the defence challenged the reliability of the single witness and raised concerns about the decades-long delay in reporting. The court, however, found the complainant’s version credible.
Stephen also acknowledged the role played by advocacy group Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA), which supported him through the legal process.
“I truly am grateful for the WMACA Advocacy team’s steadfast support, belief in my truth and guiding me through this criminal trial. I do not think a guilty verdict would have materialised without WMACA advocacy team’s tireless support, expertise regarding child abuse and patience with the legal due process,” he said.
WMACA described the outcome as a “decisive moment of accountability” in a case shaped by delay and resistance, saying it reaffirmed that credible survivor testimony can stand even after decades.
“This conviction is a powerful affirmation that survivors matter and that their voices can prevail, even after decades,” said WMACA founding director Miranda Jordan.
The organisation has called for a custodial sentence, arguing that the seriousness of the crimes requires meaningful incarceration and that neither delay nor jurisdictional complexity should lessen accountability.
“We now look to the court to impose a sentence that reflects the seriousness of these crimes. There can be no leniency for this level of abuse,” Jordan said.
The case also forms part of a broader legal process, with Wares sought by UK authorities in connection with allegations involving dozens of former learners. Wares, who faced extradition to the UK for the alleged physical and sexual abuse of 65 boys, with 90 charged listed in the indictment.
He taught in both South Africa and the United Kingdom over several decades before retiring in 2006, and was arrested in 2019 as legal proceedings began in South Africa and the UK.
Extradition proceedings to the United Kingdom are expected to continue alongside the South African sentencing process.
Pre-sentencing proceedings in the local case are scheduled for May 13.
Wares’ defence team’s response to the judgment was not immediately available.