Published – 16:12, December 12,2025
By Maumela Tshifaro and Thabelo Ramulifho
VUWANI — A Vuwani court case has been postponed until Monday after a dramatic turn of events saw a key participant refuse to proceed unless the court provided an interpreter who speaks Sepedi as their home language. The case, which was scheduled to continue today, came to an immediate halt when the woman, who is a Detective in the case firmly stated her position. The two accused have been arrested and charged with public violence following protests over load reduction in Tshino, Vyeboom and Madobi areas.
She declined to communicate in English or any other language, insisting that all proceedings be conducted in Sepedi, her mother tongue. Crucially, the woman went a step further, demanding that the interpreter assigned to her must also be a native Sepedi speaker, or one who uses the language as their luambo lwa damuni (home language). This specific requirement could not be immediately met by the court, leading to the necessary postponement. The Detective also told those who came to support the accused to ‘ stop protesting as they may not get bail ‘.
The delay underscores the constitutional right to a fair trial in South Africa, which includes the right to have proceedings interpreted into a language the accused or participant understands. However, the insistence on a specific linguistic background for the interpreter has created a temporary logistical challenge for the local judiciary. The court has now been tasked with urgently securing a suitable interpreter who meets the participant’s criteria. The case is expected to be finalized on Monday, provided the necessary linguistic support is in place.
The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of linguistic diversity and the right of citizens to engage with the justice system in the language they are most comfortable with, ensuring full comprehension and participation.