AfriForum asks Minister of Justice to address court interpreting services urgently
With reference to the controversy regarding court interpreting services during the Oscar Pistorius trial, AfriForum has appealed to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Minister Jeff Radebe, to ensure that his department addresses the quality of court interpreters' services as a matter of urgency.
According to Alana Bailey, deputy CEO of AfriForum, one can expect the unprecedented international media attention during this case to cause a court interpreter additional strain. For this very reason the department should have ensured that an experienced interpreter who would have been able to handle the pressure, would have been available for this case. "By neglecting to do so, an international embarrassment has been created for the South African judiciary, interpreters and language practitioners, just as had been the case during the memorial service of former President Mandela, not to mention the legal implications for this specific case. South Africa has excellent interpreters. Wrong choices like these however create the impression that South African interpreters cannot provide a professional service," Bailey said.
AfriForum has received complaints about the standards of court interpreting in the recent past. "The Pistorius case now puts the matter in the spotlight and a solution has to be found for once and for all. As South Africa comprises a multilingual society where all are entitled to equal protection in terms of the Constitution, the public will have to be reassured that if they were ever to need the services of a court interpreter, they will be represented efficiently. AfriForum hopes that the Minister will treat the matter with the urgency that it requires. Civil society organisations like AfriForum that are concerned about the situation, are more than prepared to advise the Department and would appreciate an opportunity to discuss the matter with the Minister," Bailey added.
Statement issued by Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO, AfriForum, March 4 2014
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
