The Office of the Judiciary has clarified how indigenous language interpreters are deployed at courts, following concerns over the availability of Otjiherero and Damara/Nama interpretation services at the Opuwo Magistrate’s Court.
Judiciary spokesperson Vikitoria Hango tells Nampa in a media response that the current structure of the judiciary presents challenges in ensuring that all indigenous languages are represented at every court simultaneously.
She explains that the allocation of interpreters is guided by geographical location and the predominant languages spoken in each region.
“The distribution of interpreters is determined by the geographical location of courts and the dominant language in that area. When specific language interpreters are required, a systematic process is followed to source them in advance,” Hango says.
She adds that the Office of the Judiciary has not identified any backlog of court cases attributable solely to a shortage of interpreters, noting that mechanisms are in place to ensure proceedings remain fair and accessible.
Language access remains a key component of the justice system, particularly in rural areas where multiple indigenous languages are widely spoken.
The Opuwo Magistrate’s Court serves communities across the Kunene region.
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