Senior Court Interpreter

About the role

The Office of the Chief Justice is hiring a Senior Court Interpreter, based in Eastern Cape Division of The High Court Mthatha. This is a permanent post, paying R338,106 – R398,277 a year. How to apply: Applications can be sent via email to 2026/141/OCJ@judiciary.org.za Reference number to quote: 2026/141/OCJ Closing date: 23 October 2026 Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV. Note: The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.

Responsibilities

• Render interpreting services: Interpret in Children’s Act matters, criminal proceedings, Civil proceedings, Domestic Violence Act matters, Older Persons Act matters, Family, Protection from Harassment Act matters, Labour, Maintenance Act matters, Child Justice matters, Inquests, and quasi-judicial matters, interpret in small claims Courts, interpret in disciplinary hearing, interpret in Conciliation and Arbitration, interpret in confession.
• Interpret in pretrial proceedings and consultations, liaise with the supervisor for foreign language interpreters, interpret from source to target language during Court proceedings, pre-trial, consultation, quasi, judicial. interpret non-verbal gestures, dramatization and confessions, engage with the judiciary to confer on the readiness and/or performance of a particular interpreter in Court, render legal and quasi-judicial and language service: Render audible and clear interpreting from source to target language without embellishment or omissions while preserving the language, convey the correct language in accordance with language usage of the speaker, control the speaker and ensure that the citations are interpreted correctly, interpret non-verbal gestures dramatization and confessions, translate legal documents and exhibits: Study and analyse the source document, conduct the necessary research and consult with the relevant parties, ensure accurate cite translation documents, check, edit and revise the translated document, translate mechanically recorded audio material.
• Develop terminology and provide support in the reconstruction of records: Accumulate terminology and develop database, populate the terms and respective meaning in the glossary register, gather all trial documents, attend to mechanical recordings, compare notes of the Presiding Officer, State and Defence.

Requirements

• A National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or equivalent qualification at NQF level six (6) with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA.
• At least 2 years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting or Grade twelve (12) certificate with at least 10 years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting.
• Proficiency in English, isiXhosa Afrikaans, isiZulu or Sesotho.
• A valid driver’s license will serve as added advantage.
• All shortlisted candidates shall undertake a pre-entry practical exercise as part of the assessment method to determine the candidate's suitability based on the post's technical and generic requirements.
• Knowledge and skills:
• Knowledge of relevant acts and regulations
• Knowledge of culture
• Knowledge of subject area
• Knowledge on how to translate and be able to keep to time frame
• Computer literacy (MS Office)
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal)
• Time management
• Good interpersonal relations skills
• Listening skills
• Customer service skills
• Problem solving skills
• Planning and organising skills
• Decisionmaking skills. analytical thinking
• Excellent English language
• Flexible
• Motivational
• Able to work under pressure
• Meticulous
• Self-driven and people centric