Iain Wares outside the Wynberg Magistrate's Court in 2024.

• Self-confessed paedophile and former teacher Iain Wares has been convicted of indecent assault in the Wynberg Regional Court in Cape Town.
• The 86-year-old former teacher was on trial for sexually abusing a pupil at Rondebosch Boys’ Preparatory School in 1988.
• He is expected to be sentenced in May.

Tears of relief flowed as *Stephen learned that the man who abused him as a child had finally been convicted, almost four decades later.

Former Cape Town teacher Iain Wares, 86, was found guilty by the Wynberg Regional Court of indecently assaulting a former pupil at Rondebosch Boys’ Primary School in 1988.

Stephen, who was in Grade 5 at the time, testified that Wares inappropriately touched him at school.

Wares denied the allegations, claiming he could not recall the complainant and had not committed the offence.

Magistrate Vanessa Miki described Stephen as a credible and reliable witness, finding his testimony consistent and truthful.

READ | UK paedophile arrested in Cape Town for child abuse charges dating back decades

“The State has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” she ruled, rejecting the defence’s version.

Wares, visibly shaken, groaned as the judgment was delivered.

Now 48, Stephen was not in court but spoke to News24 moments after the ruling.

“I do not know whether to cry or scream. Today, the law has had the final word,” he said. “I am just one person… but there are hundreds of other men still waiting for justice.”

He also credited Women and Men Against Child Abuse for supporting him over the past three years.

The organisation’s director, Miranda Jordan, said the conviction was a victory for children’s rights, adding it sends a message that survivors can come forward no matter how much time has passed.

“South Africa right now has come ahead of Scotland; we have found him guilty here in the shortest space of time that it has taken for them to conduct the interviews. With all our faults in the judicial system, we have managed to find this elderly paedophile guilty, and I would like him to spend some time in jail.”

READ | Court rules Iain Wares can be extradited to the UK to face over 60 historical sex cases

The ruling may have wider implications. Authorities in Scotland are investigating more than 100 allegations against Wares, with at least 65 complainants awaiting justice.

In 2024, the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court ruled that Wares could be extradited to face charges abroad once the local case concluded. He faces multiple charges in Scotland, including rape and sexual assault involving boys aged between eight and 13.

Wares is expected to return to court in May for sentencing proceedings.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information.

* Not his real name.