Miss-Delectable
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http://www.observer.org.sz/main.asp?id=15178&Section=main
A female police officer may have to answer for volunteering to interpret for a deaf suspect at the Mbabane Magistrates' Court last week.
Constable Funekile Gamedze is said to have interpreted, or rather misinterpreted, in the case of Jabula Mkhonta who was charged with malicious damage to property.
Mkhonta is being co-charged with one S'dumo Ngwenya and appeared for their first remand hearing at the court last Wednesday.
The Swaziland National Association of the Deaf (SNAD) alleges that Gamedze is not qualified to be an interpreter.
As a result, the association has since reported the matter to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to urgently take further steps in ensuring that the 'dubious' interpreter does not interpret in court. They also wrote a letter of complaint to the Commissioner of Police to take disciplinary action against the officer for false representation. The letter has been copied to the Mbabane Station Commander and Gamedze.
SNAD Executive Director Makhosini Makhubu said even though Gamedze was a would-be Sign Language Level II graduate, she did not have enough knowledge and experience to interpret professionally. He said nothing in their records indicated that there was a professional interpreter within the police service.
"Accordingly, the association normally assigns an interpreter even though the suspect has not subscribed as a member. By assigning an interpreter, we aim to ensure that the suspect gains access to all information, including fair public hearing wherein he can be in a position to defend him or herself," Makhubu said.
Makhubu said they it was in the interest of the deaf to receive adequate information through the necessary people.
"It's worth noting that even a good signer or the teachers at the School for the Deaf cannot interpret in any given situation, unless they possess the necessary qualification. If one chooses to ignore this important warning, he or she is, therefore, regarded as abusing the deaf by denying them access to information," stated Makhubu.
He further described the behaviour of Gamedze as shameful, not only to herself, but also to the service in which she serves as she is expected to uphold the law to the best possible way in order to be respected.
During his second remand hearing yesterday, Mkhonta appeared with a professional interpreter. This was after he had indicated that he did not understand Gamedze's interpretation. His case was postponed to January 10, next year and he has since decided to engage the services of a lawyer.
Contacted for comment, Director of Public Prosecutions Mumcy Dlamini said she had not received the said letter. When asked to explain court procedure in acquiring the services of an interpreter, she dropped the phone.
A female police officer may have to answer for volunteering to interpret for a deaf suspect at the Mbabane Magistrates' Court last week.
Constable Funekile Gamedze is said to have interpreted, or rather misinterpreted, in the case of Jabula Mkhonta who was charged with malicious damage to property.
Mkhonta is being co-charged with one S'dumo Ngwenya and appeared for their first remand hearing at the court last Wednesday.
The Swaziland National Association of the Deaf (SNAD) alleges that Gamedze is not qualified to be an interpreter.
As a result, the association has since reported the matter to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to urgently take further steps in ensuring that the 'dubious' interpreter does not interpret in court. They also wrote a letter of complaint to the Commissioner of Police to take disciplinary action against the officer for false representation. The letter has been copied to the Mbabane Station Commander and Gamedze.
SNAD Executive Director Makhosini Makhubu said even though Gamedze was a would-be Sign Language Level II graduate, she did not have enough knowledge and experience to interpret professionally. He said nothing in their records indicated that there was a professional interpreter within the police service.
"Accordingly, the association normally assigns an interpreter even though the suspect has not subscribed as a member. By assigning an interpreter, we aim to ensure that the suspect gains access to all information, including fair public hearing wherein he can be in a position to defend him or herself," Makhubu said.
Makhubu said they it was in the interest of the deaf to receive adequate information through the necessary people.
"It's worth noting that even a good signer or the teachers at the School for the Deaf cannot interpret in any given situation, unless they possess the necessary qualification. If one chooses to ignore this important warning, he or she is, therefore, regarded as abusing the deaf by denying them access to information," stated Makhubu.
He further described the behaviour of Gamedze as shameful, not only to herself, but also to the service in which she serves as she is expected to uphold the law to the best possible way in order to be respected.
During his second remand hearing yesterday, Mkhonta appeared with a professional interpreter. This was after he had indicated that he did not understand Gamedze's interpretation. His case was postponed to January 10, next year and he has since decided to engage the services of a lawyer.
Contacted for comment, Director of Public Prosecutions Mumcy Dlamini said she had not received the said letter. When asked to explain court procedure in acquiring the services of an interpreter, she dropped the phone.