Activists welcomes court decision dismissing application by teacher accused of child sexual abuse

CAPE TOWN - The Women and Men Against Child Abuse has welcomed a court decision dismissing an application by a former Cape Town teacher accused of child sexual abuse to be acquitted of charges against him.

The Wynberg Regional Court rejected Iain Wares' Section 174 application brought by his lawyer Ben Mathewson last week.

Mathewson argued that the state had insufficient evidence to prosecute his client and that the testimonies of state witnesses lacked credibility.

Wares is facing multiple charges related to sexual abuse of boys in South Africa and in the United Kingdom during his 40-year teaching career.

ALSO READ: ConCourt to hear application to halt extradition of Iain Wares to UK

Iain Wares is accused by a former pupil at Rondebosch Boys Preparatory School, known only as Stephen, of abusing him in 1988 while he was a teacher there.

Magistrate Vanessa Miki has ruled that the state's evidence is enough to proceed with the case.

Women and Men Against Child Abuse Advocacy Manager Luke Lamprecht hailed the decision as an affirmation that Wares must finally answer for his crimes.

"The now adult male victim who was 12 at the time he was taught by Mr Wares, his voice has been heard, and it has been decided by the Magistrate that Mr Wares has a case to answer to."  

The case has been postponed until October 14 for Wares to start his case.