The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have praised the Western Cape High Court’s recent decision to extradite Iain Wares, a former teacher accused of sexually abusing 74 children in Scotland.
The EFF called this ruling a “victory for justice” and emphasised the importance of protecting vulnerable members of society.
The EFF expressed relief that Wares will finally face justice after years of legal battles. Wares, who faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct from the 1960s and 70s, had been fighting his extradition from South Africa under the Extradition Act of 1962. Despite this, the court confirmed that Wares must be sent to the United Kingdom to stand trial.
“Wares is a paedophile who started his career as a teacher in South Africa in the 1960s, abusing his position to prey on innocent children,” the EFF said.
The party highlighted that Wares was dismissed from his teaching job in South Africa due to his abusive behaviour. However, he managed to flee to the United Kingdom, where he continued his abuse.
The EFF criticised the South African education system for allowing Wares to return and secure a teaching position at Rondebosch Boys’ Prep School, where he worked for nearly 30 years until his retirement in 2008.
“This was a serious failure of due diligence,” the EFF noted.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Wares had assaulted a child at Rondebosch Boys’ High School, further demonstrating the severity of his crimes.
The EFF believes that Wares’ actions were not isolated incidents but part of a long pattern of abuse that was allowed to continue because of inaction by those who should have protected the children.
"This case shows how South Africa harbored a paedophile for decades, allowing him to harm countless children. The question must be asked: why was not Wares stopped before he could resume teaching in South Africa? How did we allow this predator to continue hurting the very children he was supposed to protect?" the EFF asked.
Wares had also challenged a part of the Extradition Act, arguing that it gave too much power to the minister of Justice. The court agreed that this part of the law was unconstitutional but still upheld the decision to extradite Wares to the UK.
The EFF stated that this ruling could lead to important changes in South Africa’s legal system to prevent similar abuses of power in the future.
While the EFF welcomed the court's decision, they expressed disappointment that it took six years to reach this point.
“It’s unacceptable that it took so long for Wares to finally face justice,” the statement said .
IOL