Lack of interpreters cripple courts

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Monday June 21, 2010 00:00

On Friday, the Village Magistrates Court was forced to postpone the matter in which a Shona speaking Zimbabwean national, Richard Chinyweri, is on trial for car break-in and theft.

Magistrate Dumisane Basupi was of the view that if Chinyweri had elected to use Shona during the trial, it would be prejudicial for the accused if the court proceeded without a Shona interpreter.

State prosecutor, Khumoetsile Winter, had earlier indicated that they were ready to proceed with the trial but they could not provide an interpreter because he was held up elsewhere.

She told the court that the interpreter asked that when her services are needed, she should be given a week's notice to prepare herself.

Winter informed the court that the alternative intepreter was not available because he had travelled home to Zimbabwe.

For his part, Chinyweri told the court that the state had been delaying the case. He urged the officers to be ready for resumption of the case the next time the court sits.

Winter had asked for a day because she will only call five witnesses.

The case will continue on July 26. Chinyweri has been remanded in custody.

The use of competent court interpreters in proceedings involving speakers of languages other than English and Setswana is critical to ensure that justice is carried out fairly for defendants.

Communication in the courtroom can be more complex than in other settings or in every day life.

For example, the parties involved may use specialised and legal terminology, formal and informal registers, dialect and jargon, varieties in language and nuances of meaning.