Wesley Neumann's dismissal was 'deeply flawed' - Special Action Committee for Education tells labour court

The Special Action Committee for Education (SAC) said the process that led to the dismissal of a Cape Town high school principal during the COVID-19 pandemic was deeply flawed.

Wesley Neumann was dismissed from his role as principal of Heathfield High School after refusing to adhere to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED)'s instructions for learners to return to school during the first wave of the pandemic.

Legal teams for Neumann and the department are submitting arguments in the Labour Court this week related to the matter.

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Dismissed Heathfield High School principal Wesley Neumann's legal team started making submissions in the Labour Court on Wednesday for his dismissal to be reviewed and set aside.

The Special Action Committee for Education (SAC-Education) was at court on Wednesdayto show support for Neumann and school governing bodies.

SAC-Education member, Neil Dublin, said: "We're taking this fight on behalf of school governing bodies and their independence in making decisions relating to the health and safety and overall good in a school environment."

Neumann's attorney on Wednesday argued that his client was lawfully entitled to make a decision to protect his learners when he told them to stay home during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The Western Cape Education Department's lawyers will continue with their submissions on Friday.