Phala Phala burglary trial delayed as court searches for new Oshiwambo interpreter

The Phala Phala burglary trial has been delayed while the court searches for a new Oshiwambo interpreter.

Oshiwambo is an official Namibian language and is the home language of the three accused in the matter, Imanuwela David, Froliana and Ndilinasho Joseph.

On Monday, proceedings in the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo were cut short after one of the accused told the court that the interpreter was not accurately relaying the information.

This was not the first time in this matter that the accused raised concerns over the interpreter.

Before the start of proceedings, the court interpreter told the magistrate he was tired due to having "a hectic weekend".

This led to Magistrate Peter Manthata wondering whether that affected his performance.

"I’m not sure if it’s a question of being fatigued or it’s a question of the language itself."

With no substitute interpreter available, Manthata was forced to adjourn the matter.

"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."

The trial is expected to resume on Wednesday with a new Oshivambo court interpreter.