-
Court gavel and scales of justice
The Western Cape Education Department says it has noted the Labour Court judgment in favour of the reinstatement of Welsey Neumann as the Principal of Heathfield High School in Cape Town.
Neumann was dismissed on multiple counts of misconduct relating to COVID-19 disputes.
The court reduced Neumann’s dismissal to a final written warning.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond says the department’s legal counsel is currently reviewing the judgment.
“A decision to lodge an appeal will be taken in due course. The Labour Court judgment follows guilty findings against Mr Neumann by an independent presiding officer in 2021 and an Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) arbitrator in 2023. In June 2023, the ELRC arbitrator confirmed that the sanction of dismissal was appropriate.”
Meanwhile, the ANC in the Western Cape welcomes the Labour Court judgment.
In a statement, the ANC states that the removal of Mr Neumann was unjust, politically tainted and driven by vindictiveness rather than the best interest of learners and the school community.
“This ruling represents a clear victory for justice, fairness and due process and brings to an end a deeply troubling chapter that should never have been allowed to unfold in a democratic education system. This judgment confirms what the ANC has consistently maintained over the past five years that the removal of Mr Neumann was unjust, politically tainted and driven by vindictiveness rather than the best interest of learners and the school community. The court’s decision stands as a damning indictment of the conduct and decision-making of the WCED and political leadership who presided over this matter.”
Statement by the ANC Western Cape Provincial Legislature Caucus – For Immediate Release
5 January 2026
ANC WELCOMES LABOUR COURT JUDGMENT REINSTATING MR WESLEY NEUMANN AS PRINCIPAL OF HEATHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL pic.twitter.com/N2fpUYRc4W
— Khalid Sayed MPL (@MKhalidSayed) January 5, 2026
GOOD Party also welcomes the court judgment, saying that the ruling is a clear and decisive victory for justice.
GOOD welcomes the Labour Court ruling reinstating Councillor Wesley Neumann as Principal of Heathfield High. After 5 years of unjust persecution, the law has spoken: fairness and accountability must triumph over wasteful, politically-driven battles.
We commend Neumann, his… pic.twitter.com/rDZS5RUlWR
— GOOD (@ForGoodZA) January 5, 2026
