AfriForum demands answers in crises over court interpreters in Western Cape

AfriForum has on 2 April formally submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request to the South African Department of Justice, seeking clarity on the state of interpreter services in the country’s courts. This request follows growing concerns from AfriForum’s safety structures in the Western Cape about a disturbing trend where court cases are postponed – and in some instances, even dropped – due to the absence of interpreters. This issue has been particularly prevalent in cases where foreign nationals stand accused of crimes in South Africa.

Reports indicate that one of the main reasons for the lack of interpreters in courts is the non-payment of interpreters by the Department of Justice. This has led to significant disruptions in court proceedings, raising serious concerns about the functionality and fairness of the justice system.

A recent example highlighting this crisis involves four Malawian nationals who were arrested in October 2023, facing three cases of housebreaking and one case of possession of stolen goods. The accused were denied bail as they were undocumented immigrants. However, despite their arrest nearly a year and a half ago, they have appeared in court in Mossel Bay approximately 14 times and have yet to enter a plea on the charges against them. The case has been subjected to endless postponements, with one of the key reasons being the lack of available interpreters during their court appearances.

AfriForum’s PAIA request seeks full transparency on the state of translation services in South African courts, the Department of Justice’s policies on interpreter payments and the steps being taken to resolve this crisis.

“It is unacceptable for criminals to walk free simply because the Department of Justice is failing to pay interpreters. Crime victims and their families deserve better and AfriForum is committed to holding those responsible accountable. Justice delayed is justice denied,” says Jacques Broodryk, Chief Spokesperson for Community Safety at AfriForum.

AfriForum urges the Department of Justice to provide clear answers and take immediate steps to ensure that court proceedings are no longer compromised due to unpaid interpreters.