Legal teams submit arguments in court battle between former principal, WCED

Legal teams have started submitting their arguments in a Labour Court battle between a former high school principal and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).

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

Neumann's legal team started making submissions on Wednesday for his dismissal to be reviewed and set aside.

Neumann's attorney, Vernon Seymour, told the court that Neumann had an exemplary record before the pandemic and was lawfully entitled to make a decision to protect his learners.

Seymour argued the fear surrounding the COVID-19 virus led to Neumann's decision to instruct learners to stay home during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020.

He told the court the Education Labour Relations Council failed to consider this when ruling in favour of Neumann's dismissal.

"The applicant should not have been disciplined, let alone dismissed."

The WCED's lawyers are set to submit their submissions for the matter to conclude on Friday.