Witness tells court of trust and trauma in St John’s trial

A witness told the Johannesburg High Court that the former St John’s Preparatory School teacher allegedly developed a relationship of trust by acting as a mentor and father figure before abusing that position.

According to courtroom updates from Women & Men Against Child Abuse, whose representatives have been monitoring the proceedings.

The witness also described the long-term psychological impact of the alleged abuse, including years of therapy, with prosecutors relying on the testimony to illustrate the alleged emotional harm suffered by the complainant.

The accused has pleaded not guilty to 25 charges, including sexual assault, grooming and child abuse. The defence maintains the allegations must be tested against evidence presented in court and that the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The case stems from allegations first reported in 2021. The former teacher, who worked at St John’s Preparatory School between 2002 and 2014, was arrested in 2025 after multiple complaints were investigated.

A case watched beyond the courtroom

The proceedings have drawn significant public attention, with many South Africans following developments on social media and renewing calls for stronger safeguarding measures in schools. Parents and child protection advocates have repeatedly stressed the importance of robust reporting systems and early intervention when allegations involving children arise.

The trial is continuing and the court has yet to determine the accused’s guilt or innocence. As with all criminal proceedings, the allegations remain subject to judicial determination.