Legal battle between Wesley Neumann, WCED to proceed in court

A legal battle between a former high school principal and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is set to proceed in the Labour Court on Friday.

The WCED dismissed Heathfield High School principal Wesley Neumann during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic for refusing to open the school during the national lockdown, despite the WCED's directives.

Neumann is set to approach the Labour Court to enforce a recent ruling in favour of his reinstatement as principal of the school.

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Principal Wesley Neumann’s return to Heathfield High delayed

Special Action Committee–Education spokesperson Warren Hermanus said the Labour Court’s ruling to reinstate Neumann as the principal of Heathfield High School affirms that the WCED’s case against Neumann lacks merit.

"Despite these clear judicial pronouncements, the WCED has continued to delay compliance, unnecessarily prolonging a matter that has already caused significant harm to Mr Neumann and instability within the Heathfield High School community."

However, the WCED insisted progress at Heathfield High School since Neumann's dismissal must not be disrupted.

Concerns raised by the department in it answering affidavit includes allegations of bullying staff and financial irregularities.