The Maseru Magistrate’s Court is to train some of its staff in the Chinese language, according to Court spokesperson Mr. Setho Moremoholo. 

The training is meant to enhance efficiency in the magistrate court, after the realisation that Chinese have become so integrated that some have been found to be involved in crime.

This means the magistrate’s courts have to ensure that they are given a fair trial, in a language understood by the accused. Most Chinese are not conversant with Sesotho and English and thus an interpreter is needed for court proceedings to be translated into Chinese.

Initially two magistrates, two information officers, senior clerk of court and three interpreters will attend the training. It is cheaper to train members own staff than hire temporary interpreters, who are paid M150 each per day.

07 November 2005