Wesley Neumann reinstated as principal after lengthy legal battle with Western Cape Education
The Labour Court has reinstated Wesley Neumann as the Principal of Heathfield High School, concluding legal saga that began during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Image: Chevon Booysen
The protracted legal battle between Wesley Neumann and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has come to an end after the Labour Court reinstated him as a principal at Heathfield High School.
On Monday, acting Judge de Kock set aside Neumann's dismissal and replaced the sanction with a final written warning.
The case stems from the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when Neumann refused to reopen schools amidst escalating safety concerns.
He was then charged with misconduct on September 16, 2020, citing that he went against directives from the head of department at the time, Brian Schreuder.
As a result of his refusal to comply with the WCED's directives, Neumann faced charges of misconduct. The road to this week's ruling was not an easy one; disciplinary proceedings against him commenced on December 3, 2020, culminating in a guilty verdict on six misconduct charges on October 11, 2021.
Although he was found guilty, the WCED offered him a demotion to a head of department role at one of three schools—a proposal Neumann rejected, choosing to challenge his dismissal instead.
In June 2023, the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) ruled that Neumann's dismissal was appropriate. Neumann took the matter on review in the Labour Court.
Speaking after the ruling, WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the department's legal counsel is currently reviewing the judgment, and a decision on whether to lodge an appeal will be taken in due course.
"While the Labour Court overturned some of the previous findings, it upheld one of the charges—namely, that the language used by Mr Neumann in written correspondence to the Head of Department was disrespectful and amounted to insolence...However, the acting Judge reduced the dismissal to a final written warning. This is but one aspect of the ruling that is being carefully considered," said Hammond.
Meanwhile, Brett Herron, GOOD Party Secretary said the ruling was a clear and decisive victory for justice, the rule of law, and accountable governance, ending more than five years of unjust persecution.
"Neumann is not only an experienced and respected educator, but also a duly elected City of Cape Town councillor for the GOOD Party. From the outset, GOOD has maintained that the actions taken against him were neither fair nor lawful and were driven by political hostility rather than any legitimate concern about his performance or integrity.
"This case stands as a damning indictment of the WCED and the political leadership that chose to pursue a personal and losing legal battle at enormous cost to the public," added Herron.
IOL sent Neumann a query, but he had not replied at the time of publication.
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