A South African Non-profit organisation, Women and Men Against Child Abuse, has called for the immediate sentencing of convicted child sex offender, Iain Wares, following the postponement of his pre-sentencing proceedings at the Wynberg Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The delay was granted after Wares’ legal team informed the court that he was unwell, resulting in the matter being postponed.
The 86-year-old was found guilty in March of indecently assaulting a Grade 5 pupil at Rondebosch Boys’ Primary School, where he worked as a teacher, in 1998.
The lengthy three-year trial against Wares is now approaching its conclusion, with pre-sentencing proceedings scheduled to continue next Friday.
Wares’ defence team has been instructed to provide an updated medical report when the matter returns before the court.
Despite remaining out on bail, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that a warrant for his arrest remains pending.
Miranda Jordan from Women and Men Against Child Abuse has raised concerns over the decision to allow Wares to continue on bail, insisting that the case must be brought to an end without any further postponements.
“We are pleased to see is that Magistrate Miki has only allowed six days, and then we are back in court for pre-sentencing, which we hope to be swiftly followed by sentencing.”
The organisation has further cautioned that South Africa must avoid becoming a refuge for individuals accused of crimes against children, including offenders such as Wares.
