Africa-Press – South-Africa. Wesley Neumann, the former Heathfield High School principal, is looking forward to returning to the classroom on 1 February to continue his career as an educator, according to his legal representative, Vernon Seymour.
“There were times when he wanted to give up. He is very relieved right now that the ordeal is over.”
The Labour Court recently ordered Neumann’s reinstatement, ending a five-year legal battle sparked by his refusal to reopen the school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neumann was dismissed by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) in 2020 after he publicly opposed the return of Grade 12 learners, citing health and safety concerns for staff and pupils.
The court set aside his dismissal as a disproportionate sanction, replacing it with a final written warning for the use of what the judge described as ‘intemperate language’ in correspondence with the Department.
Acting Judge Coen de Kock rejected the WCED’s portrayal of Neumann as defiant, instead recognising the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic, as well as the support Neumannreceived from the school governing body and the local community.
Once among the youngest principals in the country, Neumann will return to his post with back pay next month.
Seymour says the rulingvindicated Neumann’s actions.
“Our case has always been that you cannot engage with the allegations the WCED brought without considering the context and the environment prevalent at the time.
“A lot of money has been spent here, which should not have been spent on legal costs, because this matter could have been resolved five years ago around the table when we had proposed it initially.”
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