Women and Men Against Child Abuse

24/08/2026

demand a sift conclusion and appropriate sentencing.

Wares has been convicted of sexually assaulting a former pupil at Rondebosch Boys’ Preparatory School in 1988.

21/08/2026

*IAIN WARES - CAPE TOWN CONVICTED CHILD S*X OFFENDER BACK IN COURT*

WYNBERG MAGISTRATE’S COURT – 24 AUGUST 2026

Mr. Iain Wares, a convicted pa******le, will attend Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Monday 24 August 2026 for pre-sentencing arguments in aggravation and mitigation to be presented by the State and the defence. It is important to note that Mr. Wares is wanted in the United Kingdom for over ninety sexual offence charges against children, and he was convicted in this court for child sexual abuse committed in South Africa in the 1980s.

Although Mr. Wares’ conviction was sealed in March 2026 - five months ago - he remains at liberty with no limitation of movement, and with access to children. In this time, nothing has been achieved in moving Mr. Wares closer to where he belongs, which is in custody. This time has been marked by extreme frustration and outrage by all observers who care about the welfare of children. By permitting defence teams to dictate this unacceptable delay between conviction and sentencing, through lack of preparation, and tactical postponements, our courts perpetuate the revictimization of survivors and endanger local children.

Women & Men Against Child Abuse expects that, on Monday, the State will be fully prepared to argue in aggravation of sentencing. Furthermore, we anticipate that the defence team will be held accountable for their commitment to be ready to proceed and, if not, the magistrate will firmly suppress any further delay tactics, and the obvious efforts to extend Mr. Wares’ freedom.

20/08/2026

Former St John’s teacher’s trial: Mom links son’s anxiety spike to year of alleged abuse

The mother of a complainant in the trial against former St John’s Preparatory School teacher Brett Nicholson has told the court that after years of struggling in school, her son showed improvement in Grade 6 but began struggling again in Grade 7 when he was 14 – the age he was allegedly sexually...

19/08/2026

WMACA Court Update 19 August 2026

ST JOHN’S TRIAL UPDATE

*A Significant Milestone in the Proceedings*

Today marked a significant and deeply emotional milestone in the St John’s trial, as the first complainant completed his evidence before the High Court.

After almost a month on the witness stand and under oath, the first complainant has now concluded his evidence-in-chief, grueling and long winded cross-examination and re-examination.

During this period, he was required to revisit some of the most difficult and traumatic experiences of his childhood, while facing extensive and often deeply intrusive questioning about his recollection, credibility and version of events.

The demands of this process cannot be understated. Giving evidence in a criminal trial of this nature requires a complainant to repeatedly return to experiences they have spent years trying to process, forget and move past. The judicial system has traumatic way of repeatedly asking about intimate details requiring graphic detail, scrutiny of his version and consistent doubt from defence under the guise of a fair trail and legal due process.

The first complainant endured this process while also experiencing significant physical pain, including a dislocated arm that required surgery during the course of the proceedings.
Despite these circumstances, he remained composed, consistent and committed to completing his testimony.

One of his driving motivations for testifying has been larger than his own experience. He entered this process never thinking he would have the strength to confront his past but knew it was important to give a voice to other the boys, including Julio, the accused effected. He wanted to stand in solidarity with former learners who are involved in this trial that they were abused by former St John’s teacher Brett Nicholson. Mostly of all he wanted to ensure the accused can never harm any more children.

Whatever the eventual outcome of the criminal proceedings, completing his evidence represents an important milestone in the first complainant’s own journey.

After weeks of being questioned about his childhood, his memories and his experiences, he has done what he came to court to do: he has given his evidence, in his own voice, and remained steadfast to his truth!

Truly admirable!

17/08/2026

https://www.news24.com/southafrica/crime-and-courts/ex-st-johns-teacher-denies-ma********ng-teen-admits-looking-at-naked-pictures-with-him-20260814-1105

A former St John’s Preparatory School teacher on trial for allegedly abusing more than a dozen children has denied ma********ng a teenage boy but conceded that he looked at naked pictures of Britney Spears with the then-14-year-old.

22/07/2026

Women and Men Against Child Abuse has raised concerns that the delays could also affect Wares' extradition to Scotland, where he's wanted to stand trial on child sexual abuse charges.

22/07/2026

🚨COURT UPDATE🚨

Today marked Day 3 of the trial of former St John’s Preparatory teacher Brett Stuart Nicholson in the Johannesburg High Court.

The first complainant completed both his evidence-in-chief and cross-examination, courageously recounting allegations of grooming and sexual abuse dating back many years. Throughout the day, he was required to revisit deeply traumatic experiences while responding to detailed questioning from both the Court and the defence.

WMACA acknowledges the extraordinary courage it takes for survivors of child sexual abuse to testify. Criminal proceedings require survivors to relive painful experiences through a rigorous evidentiary process, often many years after the alleged offences occurred.

Earlier this week, the defence completed its cross-examination of the State’s first witness 14, with evidence addressing school governance, pastoral care, safeguarding practices and historical institutional processes. The proceedings also prompted broader questions about how pastoral care is understood, governed and safeguarded within faith-based schools.

Nicholson has pleaded not guilty to all 25 charges, which include allegations of sexual grooming, sexual assault, indecent assault and exposing children to child sexual abuse material. He remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

To protect the dignity and anonymity of the complainants, WMACA will not publish identifying details or evidence that could reveal their identities.

The trial continues later this week with evidence from members of the complainant’s family.

22/07/2026

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said Wares is expected to appear on August 24 , where sentencing arguments will be heard and defence reports will be submitted.

Last week, the court heard that Wares attended a hospital consultation, where he was diagnosed with shingles, and the consulting doctor issued a sick note confirming that his patient was in severe pain.
WMACA said: “We understand that only a medical practitioner can accurately ascertain Mr Wares’ health situation. However, it would not be far-fetched to suspect that another tactic against justice is being deployed. With poor health being likely in elderly perpetrators, the sickness excuse is a soft option, especially when sentencing is imminent.”

Iain Wares, a convicted pa******le, faces yet another court delay as health issues raise concerns about accountability in a high-profile case.

21/07/2026

🚨COURT UPDATE🚨
Former St John’s Preparatory School teacher Brett Stuart Nicholson pleaded not guilty to 25 counts when his trial began in the Johannesburg High Court on 20 July 2026.

The charges involve approximately 15 complainants and include allegations of sexual grooming, sexual assault, indecent assault and exposing children to child sexual abuse material.

The first witness, a former principal of St John’s Preparatory School, gave evidence about what the school’s leadership knew, how it responded and what steps were taken to safeguard learners under Nicholson’s care.

This trial is a significant but deeply difficult moment for complainants, survivors and families who have waited many years for the allegations to be heard in court.

WMACA stands in solidarity with all those affected and urges the public and media to respect the court’s reporting restrictions and protect the identities and dignity of all complainants and witnesses.

Safeguarding children is a shared responsibility. It requires proactive leadership, effective reporting systems and accountability from every adult and institution entrusted with a child’s care.

Nicholson remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.