WOMEN AND MEN AGAINST CHILD ABUSE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COURT DECLARES 85-YR-OLD SEX OFFENDER EXTRADITABLE TO THE UK
“SCOTLAND’S JIMMY SAVILE” – IAIN WARES – FACES EXTRADITION FOR CRIMES COMMITTED IN SCOTLAND, BUT IS STILL ON TRIAL IN CAPE TOWN FOR A LOCAL SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE
A former teacher facing more than 70 charges of sexually and physically abusing boys aged between 10 and 14, over decades in Scotland, has been told by the High Court in Cape Town that he can be extradited back to the UK.
Iain Wares, 85, has been accused of abuse by scores of former pupils of Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College, where he taught in the 1960s and 70s.
Mr Wares now lives in Cape Town, where he is also still on trial for Sexual Assault charges brought against him by a former Rondebosch pupil, Stephen*.
Prosecutors in Scotland requested his extradition in 2018, leading to his arrest in May 2019 on seven charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour.
Magistrates in South Africa originally approved the extradition but Mr Wares challenged the ruling on appeal, citing many very technical legal points, even the constitutionality of extraditing him.
However, in his first appeal, of which WMACA have documented proof, Wares admitted to his behaviour and that he acted on his urges. He also denied committing any offences in South Africa.
In the judgement published on the 8th of August, the court ruled that Mr Wares could be extradited on three of seven charges raised in South Africa, which include lewd and indecent behaviour.
The judges said he could not be extradited on the other four charges because they were too far in the past and at the time they had been issued, they had been timed out under South African law.
The judgement means Mr Wares could now be sent to Scotland, where the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (the independent public prosecution service for Scotland) has said he faces 74 charges.
The court’s decision now requires a decision from South Africa’s justice minister.
BBC presenter Nicky Campbell is among those who have made allegations against the former teacher. This has been a multi-faceted, 4 year campaign, driven by British journalists, a large group of survivors, the Scottish Crown prosecutors, and Women And Men Against Child Abuse on the South African side, towards the common goal of holding these perpetrators of historical abuse accountable.
The South African complainant, Stephen*, has endured days of cross examination, being badgered by Wares’ defence, but steadfastly stuck to his story and explained to the court explicitly what Wares did to him.
We at WMACA commend the British and local survivors who have stood their ground and have had to wait a long time to finally see the wheels of justice turning.
WMACA’s Luke Lamprecht says: “The net is closing around these career offenders. Survivors are systematically finding their voice and making it heard. South Africa can NOT be seen as a safe haven for retired paedophiles and sex pests.”
We call on the Minister of Justice to expedite a decision on this ruling.
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For further information:
Luke Lamprecht 065 168 2971
Miranda Jordan 083 250 6821
Women and Men Against Child Abuse is a Non-Profit organisation, established in 1997. Now in its 27th year of operation, it remains at the forefront of raising awareness of the many and complicated issues around child abuse, child sexual abuse, GBVF, and SGBV, while at the same time providing comprehensive FREE professional treatment services to victims of child abuse at the Kidz Clinics in Alexandra Township and on the East Rand.
WMACA’s Advocacy division focus public, judicial and media attention on important cases to create awareness of all the aspects and issues surrounding child abuse and to put pressure on sometimes inadequate legal processes, in order to move cases involving children through the court system quickly and effectively. Other global issues such as child pornography and human trafficking are also brought to the fore, to educate the public and empower victims.
