CAPE TOWN - The independence and objectivity of the presiding officer who was paid around R82 500 by August for her services in the disciplinary hearing of Heathfield High School principal Wesley Neumann has come into question by parents’ lobby group, the Special Action Committee (SAC).
The hearing which ran for over 25 days saw Neumann found guilty on six charges of misconduct following his refusal to reopen the school amid the Covid-19 infection peak last year.
Throughout the saga, parents, teachers and learners protested in his defence.
In a letter, the SAC questioned the independence of the officer.
In response, provincial eduction department spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond said: “The claims are part of an ongoing campaign to discredit what was a fair process whereby Mr Neumann was given fair opportunity to represent his case.”
A letter by SAC spokesperson, Allan Liebenberg, read: “I think that Debbie Schäfer applies a torturous logic when she uses the adjective 'independent' to describe the presiding officer in the case against the principal of Heathfield High School. Firstly, Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) appoints and pays the presiding officer. The best we can hope for is that SACE (South African Council of Educators) will make a statement about this flawed process.”
Among other allegations, he added: “The WCED expelled a boy based on a recommendation of the SGB of Heathfield High. The boy had been accused of selling drugs on the school grounds. A pupil who bought the drugs from the boy spent two weeks in hospital. The parents of the boy took four months to appeal instead of the legislated fourteen days. Debbie Schäfer reviewed and rescinded this decision by the WCED and promptly placed the boy and his parents on the list of people to provide evidence against Mr. Neumann.”
Hammond meanwhile said they would not “entertain the narrative that there was bias by the presiding officer”.
“This is an independent presiding officer who has years of experience. Her judgment reflects case law, taking into account the extensive testimony provided. The presiding officer wasn’t singled out when she was appointed. As of August, the cost of the Presiding Officer was R82 500.
“The cost of the independent presiding officer is also relative to the number of days in which the hearing is held. The statement below is fraught with inaccuracies and false statements.”
Neumann said one of his key witnesses was not allowed to testify.
“During the hearing there were a few irregularities. The amount of money the presiding officer is getting paid also brings her objectivity into question, I believe it to be much higher because she is still working on the report as she must still give the sanction.
“By Thursday latest they need to give me the sanction then we can take the matter under review. Its been a tough 16 months but I am just grateful for everyone’s support.”
Cape Times