Vindicated teacher speaks of battle to clear her name

FORMER Primrose Park primary teacher Lee-Ann Snyders believes her dignity will only be restored when she is reinstated and back paid following nearly seven years of a gruelling legal battle to clear her name.

Snyders recently secured a major victory when the Labour Court dismissed with costs a Western Cape Education Department (WCED) application that sought to set aside an earlier arbitration award in her favour.

Snyders had taught at the Manenberg primary school for six years without incident until a bitter rivalry between the Grade 5A and 5B classes culminated in several charges being brought against her in 2018, ultimately leading to her dismissal.

According to court papers, Snyders was dismissed on March 9, 2020 on 14 misconduct charges including improper comments and insults directed at learners; physical punishment/ contact administered to certain learners, name-calling and swearing.

She successfully turned to arbitration to have her dismissal overturned, where in June 2021, the WCED was ordered to reinstate her and back-pay more than R360 000 at the time. However they instead decided to take the matter on review and Snyders was informed that she could not return to work. 

Acting Labour Court judge, Veronique Barthus found: “On the strength of the evidence placed before the Arbitrator, his decision falls within the band of reasonableness and, as such, I am constrained to uphold the award without interference. The review application is dismissed.” 

In an exclusive interview with the Cape Times on Wednesday, Snyders: “As someone who's faced incredible challenges, I've learned that being strong doesn't mean being unbroken. It means finding the strength to keep going despite pain. With the help of loved ones, I survived false accusations and public shaming that hurt me deeply. I have had to protect myself, my family name. I have tried to apply for work but I don't get a response. Up until today I’m not working, I had to go through Covid without a job.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. They took years of life. The Labour Court finally was the second biggest bit of mercy and respect I got back. I was treated like a citizen, my rights were upheld as a female."

Snyders said while the South African Council for Educators (SACE) found her not guilty of misconduct, her former school would not give her a reference which impacted her ability to find new employment.

Her lawyer, Elton Rochert explained that the WCED have 15 days from the date of the judgement to file an application for leave to appeal. 

The WCED said they were studying the judgment. 

SACE said they would respond on the specifics related to the matter in due course.

Cape Times