The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has approached the Labour Court requesting that the suspended order, which mandates the reinstatement of former Heathfield High School principal, Wesley Noyman, be maintained until the appeal process is concluded.
However, Noyman's legal team asserts that there are no obstacles to his return to the position and awaits a new hearing date in the Labour Appeal Court.
Reasons for Noyman's dismissal
In June, WCED received permission to appeal the Labour Court's decision that required Noyman's reinstatement following his dismissal. This order remains suspended pending the outcome of the appeal.
Noyman was dismissed after closing the school due to safety concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic. He was accused of misconduct, including obstruction and violation of departmental social media policies.
A WCED representative, Brona Hammond, stated that the department filed a counter-application to keep the reinstatement order suspended until the related appeals processes are finalized. She emphasized: 'WCED has every right to challenge the decision, especially given our argument that the court made numerous legal and factual errors when considering the arbitration award of the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC).'