Modimolle Court seeks new interpreter for Phala Phala accused

The Modimolle Regional Court is seeking a new Oshivambo court interpreter for the Phala Phala burglary trial following repeated complaints about the current interpreter's accuracy.

Monday's proceedings were cut short after one of the three accused complained that the interpreter was not accurately relaying messages, delaying the trial involving the alleged theft of $580,000 from President Cyril Ramaphosa's farm.

Oshivambo is the home language for the three accused, Imanuwela David, Froliana, and Ndilinasho Joseph, who are charged with breaking into Phala Phala farm.

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Although all three are South African citizens, they grew up in a small Ovambo community in Bela Bela, Limpopo, where the language, an official Namibian language, is spoken.

Magistrate Peter Manthata stressed the importance of correct interpretation to ensure a fair trial, noting that a continued risk could undermine the judicial process.

“I don’t want to risk by proceeding with this matter and at the end of the day or the whole trial and the matter may be set aside on the basis of a very simple thing that this court could’ve had addressed,” Magistrate Manthata stated.

The need for an interpreter has previously caused delays in the case, and the bail applications of David, Froliana, and Joseph were initially postponed due to a lack of an Oshivambo interpreter.

The matter has been adjourned to Wednesday.