Top court interpreter was working to smooth the path of justice

WESTERN CAPE High Court interpreter Elliot Lunga Qukwana, 50, had been working to mitigate blockages and improve court efficiency when he was shot dead outside his home last week.

Interpreting

in

English, Afrikaans and Xhosa, Qukwana was one of only 12 senior court interpreters in the province.

Regional Justice Department head Hishaam Mohamed said that his contribution to the department would be sorely missed.

“Elliot was one of the best interpreters in the country. Just last week he attended a workshop with the judge president and senior management to look into how to improve court efficiency,” Mohamed said, adding that Qukwana had worked in some of the most high-profile cases in the court.

“He was an asset to South Africa. For him to die in such a brutal way is really shocking,” Mohamed said.

Qukwana and two close members of his family were shot when gunmen opened fire on them outside his home in Nkunzane Street, Philippi at the weekend.

He leaves his wife, Nobuntu, 41, and 17-year-old son, Hector.

Mohamed said he and other representatives from the Justice Department would be visiting the family today to offer their condolences.

They would also help Qukwana’s family with burial arrangements. – Staff Writer