CAPE TOWN – The case of an 84-year-old former teacher accused of sexual assault has hit a snag once again at the Wynberg Magistrates Court.
The case against the accused – only known as “Mr. W” – was supposed to go to trial on Friday, but was postponed to 27 March, as the state’s witness was unable to testify.
Mr. W made his first court appearance just over a year ago, after a Cape Town man opened a case of abuse against him dating back to the 1980’s.
The accused faces multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of boys in South Africa and the United Kingdom (UK) during his 40-year teaching career.
Mr. W was supposed to plea to the charges, after which his name can be made public.
However, the state told the court that its witness, known only as “Stephen”, is ill and only came to court because he was subpoenaed.
Stephen, a former Rondebosch Boys pupil, has accused Mr W of abusing him in 1988 while he was a teacher there.
The accused is also fighting his extradition to the UK, where he faces a number of charges of child sexual abuse.