Wesley Neumann vs. WCED: The high-stakes battle for reinstatement at Heathfield High school

Vindicated Heathfield High School principal, Wesley Neumann admits he works as a part-time city councillor for financial stability and is part of the GOOD party but was keen to get back to his headmaster duties.

The Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) said it would oppose his enforcement application, citing he was employed and claims he previously had financial irregularities during his tenure at the school.

The gloves are off and in responding and answering affidavits shared with the Cape Argus from Neumann and the WCED, who are set to face one another at the Labour Court on Friday where the enforcement application continues for reinstatement.

Terrence Smith, of the Special Action Committee–Education (SAC–E) said the department had continued to delay the order for Neumann's dismissal to be deemed as a final written warning and see him back in his position: “Despite these clear judicial pronouncements, the WCED has continued to delay compliance, unnecessarily prolonging a matter that has already caused significant harm to Mr Neumann and instability within the Heathfield High School community.”

Via a replying affidavit, Neumann, admits that he is currently a part-time City Councillor, and denies the WCED's claim that his alternative employment negates the need for the principal position, citing the job's insecurity and financial necessity. 

He further contests the WCED's grounds for appeal, asserting his good working relationship with department officials and denying the alleged "irretrievable breakdown" of the employment relationship, which the Labour Court already ruled on. 

He argues the appeal delays cause irreparable harm to his family, professional reputation, and finances, especially as the WCED, with "deep pockets," can litigate indefinitely. He highlights the financial burden of his legal fight and the support he has from the community.

“The allegation that my current part-time City Councillor role negates my need for a permanent principal position with benefits lacks merit, as part-time councillor employment is insecure. I am a representative of the small Good Party, and my current pre-deduction salary of (amount withheld) is barely enough to make ends meet, necessitating full-time employment.

"I admit to being a part-time councillor but deny being a professional politician, as most part-time councillors have other careers. The Respondent seems to have an issue with SADTU not being a party to the dispute; this relates to the complexity of the issues, but COSATU, SADTU's mother body, has supported me from the onset, as demonstrated in the attached media statement 

He said further: "I have never held or expressed the view that the whole WCED was run by "callous and immoral people...I have utmost respect for my circuit managers and other WCED officials I worked with, which explains the Circuit Manager's evidence…. While I accept the Respondent's right to appeal, I do not accept the personal attacks and character assassination in the media, which is hurtful to me and my family and was vindictive….” I have incurred significant personal debt by obtaining loans and rely on modest community-raised funds."

In a responding affidavit, The WCED, Head of Department, Brent Walters, opposes the enforcement application, arguing a lack of urgency given Neumann's current salary. Walters asserts Neumann fails to meet the "onerous test" of Section 18 of the Superior Courts Act: proving exceptional circumstances, irreparable harm to himself, and absence of irreparable harm to the Department.

Walters claims via the document that Neumann's temporary reinstatement would destabilize the school, which has recovered stability and achieved improved matric results since his departure. The WCED also cites prima facie evidence of financial irregularities during Neumann's tenure and the risk of further disruption by his supporters.

In Walters affidavit he said “Mr Neumann's application includes irrelevant and scandalous material, likely to create 'atmosphere' and continue his politically motivated campaign against the Department. His public lambasting of his employer confirms the breakdown of the trust relationship. Even the reinstatement judgment confirmed his guilt of insolence, subject to a final written warning. Allowing his temporary reinstatement would undermine the appeal by permitting his destabilizing presence and his inability to conscientiously promote the HOD's interests on the SGB.”

In response to allegations that law enforcement officials had been placed at the school to prevent Neumann from entry, WCED MEC, David Maynier said: “No law enforcement has been present at the school to prevent Wesley Neumann from returning to work, as the order for reinstatement is suspended in terms of section 18(1) of the Superior Courts Act.

 “However, law enforcement was present at the school on February 2, 2026, because of the risk of further disruptive action by Wesley Neumann’s supporters, given their behaviour on Friday, January 30, 2026 which caused distress to learners and teachers.”

Maynier added that his office has filed our answering affidavit responding to the latest court application by Neumann.

“Staff members reported that they had felt bullied by Wesley Neumann’s supporters and had been afraid to speak up in the past," he said.

“The curator principals appointed by the Department picked up financial irregularities during Wesley Neumann’s tenure at Heathfield High School. These allegations were investigated, and prima facie evidence of several financial irregularities was uncovered."

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