Legal teams to submit final arguments in court battle between Wesley Neumann, WCED

Legal teams are set to submit their final arguments on Friday in a Labour Court battle between a former high school principal and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).

Former Heathfield High School principal Wesley Neumann was dismissed after refusing to adhere to the WCED’s instructions for learners to return to school during the first wave of the pandemic.

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Neumann's legal team has made submissions for his dismissal to be reviewed and set aside.

Neumann's attorney, Vernon Seymour told the court 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.

Seymour argued Neumann had an exemplary record before the pandemic and was lawfully entitled to make a decision to protect his learners.

The WCED's lawyers are set to submit their submissions before the court makes its ruling.

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