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Interpreter Dispute Pauses Phala Phala Trial-Within-a-Trial

Proceedings are set to resume Wednesday after the magistrate sought a new Oshiwambo interpreter to ensure accurate translation.

Overview

  • The Modimolle court cut short Monday’s evidentiary hearing and adjourned to Wednesday over concerns about inaccurate Oshiwambo interpretation and an expected power outage affecting recordings.
  • A trial-within-a-trial continues over whether a fourth state witness’s police statement is admissible after he was declared hostile and said he is illiterate and was pressured to sign a statement he did not understand.
  • The witness alleges the investigating officer threatened to "ruin" his life and, in fresh claims, says he was assaulted and suffocated with a plastic bag, allegations the officers have denied in court.
  • Separate testimony from a Johannesburg car dealership described high-end vehicles bought in US dollars, with purchases including two Porsches and a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon linked to the alleged proceeds.
  • State evidence has also traced the accused’s travel from Cape Town to Johannesburg and on to Limpopo before the alleged 2020 theft, while questions persist about foreign-currency use on the farm and the lack of an official case at Bela Bela police.