Iain Wares, a former South African teacher, has been convicted of indecent assault on a former learner at Rondebosch Boys' Preparatory School in 1988. Social worker Arina Smit testified in his defence during pre-sentencing arguments at the Wynberg Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Smit described Wares as an incurable paedophile with urges and tendencies that were under control. Wares was found guilty earlier this year and is now facing sentencing.
Smit's proposal for Wares' sentence consists of home confinement, with allowances for medical appointments, legal commitments, and shopping for groceries. However, the State criticised this proposal, saying Wares' life would remain exactly the same, with no changes to his living conditions, arrangements, or habits. The State also highlighted that victims of child sexual abuse suffer severe, lifelong effects, and in this case, the complainant has suffered for decades since the age of 12 years.
During cross-examination, Smit admitted that Wares is an incurable paedophile. She also testified that, after teaching in Scotland, he had his urges and tendencies under control. However, this assertion was contradicted by his recent conviction for indecent assault at Rondebosch Preparatory School. Women's and Men's Against Child Abuse (WMACA) criticised Smit's observation that it was only once and that one must look at the frequency of offences.
WMACA's Cape Town representative and author, Claudine Shiels, was present in court and expressed relief that no known victim of Wares' sexual and physical abuse was present to hear Smit's testimony. Shiels said Smit's recommendation appeared to enable and minimise Wares' conduct, with the potential to set back the healing process and contribute to further revictimisation. Pre-sentencing proceedings continue on September 28.
Smit described Wares as a timid, non-aggressive, and anxious man who had been abused by his mother. She said he was physically frail and unlikely to reoffend. Wares is also facing extradition to the UK, where authorities allege he was behind the sexual abuse of at least 65 boys aged between eight and 13 over an 11-year period while working as a mathematics teacher and rugby coach in Edinburgh between 1968 and 1979.
Wares was arrested by Cape Town authorities following an Interpol notice and was granted bail of R10,000. Smit's assessment of Wares followed interviews with him and his family, and no further, broader verifications were conducted. The State questioned Smit several times about her sentencing recommendation, but she did not waver, continually focusing on Wares' well-being and showing little concern for the victim of his abuse.
The case has raised concerns about the impact on victims of child sexual offences. Smit testified that victims often withhold disclosure because of guilt, shame, or fear. However, she also stated that her conclusion regarding Wares' controlled urges was based on no other victims coming forward. The sentencing proceedings will continue on September 28, with a decision yet to be made on Wares' sentence.
Key points
- Social worker Arina Smit recommends home confinement for Iain Wares, despite his conviction for indecent assault on a former learner.
- Wares faces extradition to the UK for the alleged sexual abuse of at least 65 boys.
- The case has raised concerns about the impact on victims of child sexual offences and the effectiveness of the sentencing proposal.
