An 86-year-old former teacher is fighting extradition in Cape Town as victims from around the world speak out about abuse they suffered decades ago. Iain Wares, who once taught in Scotland and South Africa, now faces 90 criminal charges related to the abuse of 65 young boys. His case has brought painful memories to the surface for many survivors who stayed silent for over 50 years.
The story came to light after a major inquiry in Scotland released its findings in January 2026. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, led by Lady Smith, opened sealed medical records and private documents that had been hidden for years. What they found was shocking. Wares allegedly abused young boys on thousands of occasions while teaching in Edinburgh between 1968 and 1979. The boys were between 8 and 13 years old at the time.
For many survivors, speaking about what happened is not simple. These men, now elderly, have carried the weight of their trauma for most of their lives. Several victims traveled from the UK to Cape Town to share their stories with journalists. They want the world to know what happened and to make sure Wares faces justice.
Neil Douglas, one of the alleged victims, spoke directly about the abuse. He said Wares claimed he never hurt anyone in South Africa, but Douglas believes that is not true. A local victim named Stephen, who attended Rondebosch Boys Preparatory School in Cape Town where Wares taught, has also come forward. For Douglas and others, bringing Wares to trial is important for their healing. They want a court to officially recognize the crimes committed against them.
Nicholas Oday shared details of the physical abuse he experienced. He described how Wares would beat him on the back of his thighs because it caused extreme pain. Another victim, Jed Gordon, became emotional during the press conference and called for accountability not just for Wares, but also for the institutions that allowed him to move from one teaching job to another.
This pattern of enabling is what makes the case even more troubling. After each incident in Scotland, Wares was quietly moved to another position instead of being reported to authorities. Eventually, he returned to South Africa and continued teaching in Cape Town. The organizations Women and Men Against Child Abuse say this shows a complete failure of the systems meant to protect children.
Understanding how this happened is not easy for many people. Schools and authorities in multiple countries failed to stop Wares. They allowed him to remain in contact with children even after reports of abuse. Now, victims want those who helped cover up the crimes to also face consequences.
Wares was arrested in October 2025 after an Interpol notice was issued. He appeared in court in January 2026 and was informed that his extradition hearing will take place on April 16, 2026. He is currently living in a retirement home in Cape Town while fighting the extradition order. A court has already ruled that he can be extradited on three counts of indecent assault.
The victims say Wares should not be allowed to live comfortably in retirement while they continue to suffer. Douglas explained that he has been diagnosed with PTSD and that talking about the abuse brings back difficult feelings. Many survivors doubt their own memories and experiences. They hope that a guilty verdict will help validate what happened to them and bring some measure of peace.
The case highlights how abusers can move between countries and continue harming children when institutions fail to act. The Scottish inquiry found that Wares offended on an unprecedented scale over twelve years. The pipeline that allowed this abuse to continue runs directly through Cape Town, where Wares eventually settled.
For the survivors, this is about more than punishment. It is about recognition, healing, and making sure no other children suffer the same fate. They want simple justice: for Wares to spend his remaining days in prison rather than enjoying a peaceful retirement.
