Fight to reinstate axed Heathfield High principal continues

THE conciliation process between the Education Labour Relations Council and the former principal at Heathfield High School, Wesley Neumann, has ended in a deadlock as renewed calls were made for his return to the school.

Neumann approached the council on Friday last week to state his case before the council makes a finding concerning his conduct.

Neumann was dismissed as principal in May after he refused to reopen the school amid the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Neumann’s dismissal has caused an uproar among parents and pupils who have been boycotting classes in a bid to have him reinstated.

Rofieka Benjamin, from the special action committee formed as a support group for Neumann, said the former principal would now proceed to arbitration.

“We are disappointed that the head of education in the Western Cape Education Department, Brent Walters, did not present Neumann with an offer of reinstatement,” Benjamin said.

“Decisions and findings always seem to favour a few elite officials within the bureaucracy who have abused power and process in their reckless behaviour toward teachers and principals.

“The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) seems to be at a loss as to why Neumann’s support base grows in strength.”

In a provincial legislature’s written reply to ANC spokesperson on education Khalid Sayed, the WCED said it had spent nearly R1 million on removing Neumann.

Education MEC David Maynier’s response pinned the decision on his predecessor. Neumann’s disciplinary hearing cost R739 368, legal representation R653 843, and the presiding officer, R85 525.

Meanwhile, the Representative Council of Learners (RCL), refused to return to class as an act of contempt toward the department’s handling of the situation.

And with less than four months to the final exams, matric pupils have only two things on their mind – to pass and to fight for their ex-principal, said RCL member Lionel Matyobeni.

A spokesperson for the department, Bronagh Hammond, said catch-up classes for Grade 12 learners were already under way at Heathfield High, and pupils were encouraged to attend.