Reinstated Heathfield High School principal feels vindicated

Legal counsel for the reinstated principal of Heathfield High School says a labour court ruling has vindicated his client.

Wesley Neumann was retrospectively reinstated with back pay after the court found that his dismissal was unreasonable, following a disciplinary inquiry in 2021.

The Western Cape Education Department had found him guilty on six counts of misconduct after he refused to open the school to teachers and learners during peak COVID-19 infections.

His attorney, Vernon Seymour, says employers cannot trample on the rights of employees without consequence.
 
 "In a 54-page judgment, the court rejected the narrative created by the Western Cape  Education Department that Wesley Newman 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."
 
Seymour says Neumann is relieved by the outcome and expects to resume work as principal on February 1st.
 
 "The court accepted that Wesley Newman was a hard-working, passionate school principal who had done wonders at Heathfield High School," Seymour added.