Delays in court as interpreters strike

Contention over language of record issue

FAILURE to engage judicial interpreters on the decision to make English the language of record in courts has led to a one-week delay of court cases and trials. At least 14 cases were postponed, including two new femicide matters. This follows interpreters downing tools to express their frustration with judicial heads.

About two years ago the Head of Courts decided to introduce English as an official language of recording as an attempt to fasttrack the backlog of review cases.

However, that decision was not taken lightly by interpreters, who are complaining that this will overburden them as they are already short staffed.

Cosatu provincial chairperson Motlatsi Tsubane said the decision to down tools, on Monday, was because interpreters were not consulted in this decision-making process.

“We as interpreters have been left out. Our view is that this should be put on ice until broader and proper conversations take place. This will affect us negatively as we are ill-equipped, underpaid and under resourced.

“You get to some regional courts which have eight to 12 courtrooms, but only six interpreters. So when other courtrooms need assistance there is no one to help as the interpreters are all busy,” he said.

Tsubane added that that this decision would lead to interpreters being overloaded, but their income would not be commensurate with their workload.

“What this language of record would mean is that if in a court all parties are Afrikaans speaking, including the judge and/or magistrate, the court head would need to speak in English and the interpreter would be required to translate everything, despite all parties understanding Afrikaans,” he said.

Nathi Mncube, the spokesperson for the office of the chief justice, said interpreters were engaging with court heads over the issue.

He said: “So far interpreters have met with Deputy Judge President Goliath and Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) Provincial Head, Joseph Manual.

“Judge President (John) Hlophe is likely to meet them tomorrow, and the Head of Court Administration Services from National office of OCJ will meet them on Tuesday. So far about 14 cases have had to be postponed due to the non-availability of interpreters.”

AT LEAST 14 CASES WERE POSTPONED, INCLUDING TWO NEW FEMICIDE MATTERS