Wesley Neumann to be reinstated as Heathfield High School principal

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The Labour Court has ordered the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) to reinstate Wesley Neumann as the principal of Heathfield High with back pay. The matter stems from 2020 when Neumann refused to reopen the school at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic

Bush Radio News spoke to Neumann’s legal representative, Vernon Seymour, and he says the ruling represents ‘justice, fairness, and due process’

‘’The big lesson of this case is that employers cannot trample on the rights of an employee and expect to get away with it, even if it is almost four years later. In a 54-page judgment, the court rejected the narrative created by the Western Cape Education Department that Wesley Neumann was a defiant school principal who failed in his duty as an educator and leader of Heathfield High School in June-July 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.’’

‘’The court accepted that Wesley Neumann was a hardworking, passionate school principal who has done wonders at Heathfield High School. Both his immediate superiors - Mr. Glenwell-Stunder and the then- school circuit manager, Ms. Jackie Duplessis, - used the word professional in describing Mr. Neumann as a school principal. Mr. Neumann  is relieved that this ordeal is finally over and he is looking forward to resuming his duty as school principal of Heathfield High School on 1 February,’’ he added.

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The Special Action Committee–Education (SAC-E) welcomed the judgment.

‘’The SAC-E has consistently maintained that this matter was never about Mr Neumann’s professional competence, integrity, or commitment to education. From the outset, we asserted that he was subjected to political and personal persecution at the hands of the erstwhile Head of Department, Mr Brian Schreuder, and the former MEC for Education in the Western Cape, Ms Debbie Schäfer. The Labour Court’s judgment vindicates this position and confirms that the actions taken against Mr Neumann could not withstand legal scrutiny. We extend our deepest commendation to Mr Neumann and his family, who endured immense sacrifice, uncertainty, and hardship throughout this ordeal. Their resilience, dignity, and steadfast belief in justice over the past five years are truly admirable. SAC-E also wishes to place on record its sincere appreciation to Mr Vernon Seymour, Mr Neumann’s legal representative, who stood firmly and unwaveringly by his client over the entire period. Mr Seymour’s commitment, often at significant personal and professional sacrifice, exemplifies the highest standards of legal advocacy and ethical practice,’’ said Terrence Smith, SAC-E Chairperson.

‘’Furthermore, we salute the Heathfield High School community and the broader community for their unwavering support of Mr Neumann. Their solidarity, courage, and refusal to be intimidated were instrumental in sustaining him on what was an extremely difficult road towards justice. Without this collective support, the journey would have been far more daunting,’’ he added.

WCED said its legal counsel is currently reviewing the judgment, and is mulling on whether to lodge an appeal.

‘’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 Bronagh Hammond, WCED spokesperson.

‘’The WCED remains committed to ensuring that disciplinary processes are applied fairly, consistently, and in the best interests of learners, educators, and the public education system,’’ she added.

Political parties have weighed in on the matter and welcomed the Labour Court’s judgment. GOOD Party’s secretary-general, Brett Herron, says this case stands as a damning indictment of the WCED.

‘’Councillor 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. The Labour Court has now unequivocally confirmed this.

This case stands as a damning indictment of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and the political leadership that chose to pursue a personal and losing legal battle at enormous cost to the public. Millions of rands in public money were wasted on legal fees and the appointment of replacement principals, all in pursuit of a case that the courts have now rejected. This constitutes fruitless and wasteful expenditure that the people of the Western Cape will ultimately have to pay for.

‘’For far too long, the WCED leadership has harmed the Heathfield community through divisive conduct, deliberately attempting to turn parents, learners, and staff against a principal who enjoyed broad community support. This approach has undermined trust in public institutions and caused unnecessary instability at a public school that should have been protected, not politicised…. This judgment must serve as a warning to those who abuse power and public resources to pursue political agendas,’’ added Herron.

The ANC in the Western Cape echoed GOOD’s sentiments.

This judgment confirms what the ANC has consistently maintained over the past five years, that the removal of Mr. Neumann was unjust, politically tainted, and driven by vindictiveness rather than the best interests of learners, educators or the school community. The court’s decision stands as a damming indictment of the conduct and decision-making of the WCED and the political leadership who presided over this matter,’’ said Khalid Sayed, ANC Western Cape leader.

COSATU is in the view that the WCED should comply with the ruling.

‘’We are calling on the WCED to fully comply with the Labour Court order without delay, facilitating Mr. Neumann’s seamless and retrospective reinstatement to his rightful position. Furthermore, we are calling on the WCED and the MEC for Education, David Maynier, to publicly declare that they will not appeal this judgment. To do so would be an act of sheer arrogance and a further waste of millions of Rands in public money, money that should be funding teachers, textbooks, and School infrastructure, not endless legal fees,’’ said Malvern De Bruyn, COSATU Secretary-General.

‘’COSATU demands a full public accounting of the legal costs incurred by the WCED in this matter, as well as the costs associated with appointing replacement Principals over five years. This fruitless and wasteful expenditure must be explained to the taxpayers of the Western Cape,’’ he added.

 

Done by: Mitchum George

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