Senior Court Interpreter

SENIOR COURT INTERPRETER is listed by OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE. The post is based in Cape Town, Western Cape. The closing date is 28 September 2026.

Job Details

Requirements

• Applicants should be in possession of a National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or equivalent qualification at NQF level 6 with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA.
• Minimum of two (02) years practical experience in Court Interpreting environment or Grade 12 with at least ten (10) years’ practical experience in Court Interpreting environment.
• Proficiency in English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa.
• Proficiency in any other indigenous language i.e. Sotho, Tswana or Zulu, etc., a valid driver’s license and knowledge of any foreign language will serve as an added advantage.
• Knowledge and skills: Knowledge of relevant acts and regulations, culture, subject area, how to translate and be able to keep time frame.
• Skilled in computer literacy (MS Office), communication (written and verbal), time management, interpersonal relations, planning and organising, decision making, analytical thinking, English language, problem solving.
• Along with the following attributes: flexible, self driven and motivated, ability to work under pressure, accuracy and attention to detail.

Duties / Responsibilities

Render interpreting services, interpret in Criminal proceedings, Civil proceedings, Older Persons Act matters, Family, protection from Harassment Act matters, Labour court matters, Maintenance Act matters, Child Justice Matters, Inquests and Equality court matters, interpret in pre-trial proceedings and consultations, liaise with Supervisor or other Department/Organisation for foreign language interpreters, interpret from source target language during court proceedings for pretrials, consultations, interpret non-verbal gestures, dramatization and confessions, engage with the judiciary to confer on the readiness and/or performance in court, render interpreting for probono desk, 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 the language usage of the speaker, control the speaker and ensure that the citations are interpreted correctly, translate legal documents and exhibits, study and analyse the source documents, conduct the necessary research and consult with the relevant parties, ensure accurate cite translation of documents, check, edit and revise the translated documents, translate mechanically recorded audio material, develop terminology and provide support in the reconstruction of records, accumulate terminology and develop a database, populate the terms and respective meaning in the glossary register, gather all trial documents necessary to aid interpretation, coin words and perform specific line and administrative support functions to the Judiciary, Court Manager and Supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• of relevant acts and regulations, culture, subject area, how to translate and be able to keep time frame.
• Skilled in computer literacy (MS Office), communication (written and verbal), time management, interpersonal relations, planning and organising, decision making, analytical thinking, English language, problem solving.
• Along with the following attributes: flexible, self driven and motivated, ability to work under pressure, accuracy and attention to detail.

Application Instructions

can be sent via email to 2026/131/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

Application address:
Applications can be sent via email to 2026/131/OCJ@judiciary.org.za

Notes

All applications must be submitted on a New Z83 form, which can be downloaded on internet at www.judiciary.org.za / www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp or obtainable from any Public Service Department and should be accompanied by a recent comprehensive CV only; contactable referees (telephone numbers and email addresses must be indicated). Please send your documents in a PDF and put them in one folder.

Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from Human Resources. All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments.

One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process.

Applicants could be required to provide consent for access to their social media accounts. Prior to appointment for SMS, a candidate would be required to complete the Nyukela Programme: Pre-entry Certificate to Senior Management Services as endorsed by DPSA which is an online course, endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG).

The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into the SMS and the full details can be sourced by the following link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/. Each application form must be fully completed, duly signed and initialed on both pages by the applicant.

The application must indicate the correct job title, the office where the position is advertised and the reference number as stated in the advert. Failure by the applicant to complete, sign and initial the application form will lead to disqualification of the application during the selection process.

Applications on the old Z83 will unfortunately not be considered. Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation considered.

Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, social media, reference checks and employment verification). Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only.

If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right not to make any appointment(s) to the advertised post(s).

Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late, will not be considered. Failure to submit all the requested documents will result in the application not being considered during the selection process.

All successful candidates will be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within 3 months of appointment, as well as be required to undergo a security clearance three (3) months after appointment. The Office the Chief Justice complies with the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA); Act No. 4 of 2013.

We will use your personal information provided to us for the purpose of recruitment only and more specifically for the purpose of the position/vacancy you have applied for. In the event that your application was unsuccessful, the Office of the Chief Justice will retain your personal information for internal audit purposes as required by policies.

All the information requested now or during the process is required for recruitment purposes. Failure to provide requested information will render your application null and void.

The Office of the Chief Justice will safeguard the security and confidentiality of all information you shared during the recruitment process.

The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.

Department Notes

Department Notes

All applications must be submitted on a New Z83 form, which can be downloaded on internet at www.judiciary.org.za / www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp or obtainable from any Public Service Department and should be accompanied by a recent comprehensive CV only; contactable referees (telephone numbers and email addresses must be indicated). Please send your documents in a PDF and put them in one folder.

Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit certified copies of qualifications and other related documents on or before the day of the interview following communication from Human Resources. All shortlisted candidates, including the SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments.

One will be a practical exercise to determine a candidate’s suitability based on the post’s technical and generic requirements and the other must be an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment. Selection panels shall score both technical exercises as an additional criterion in the interview process.

Applicants could be required to provide consent for access to their social media accounts. Prior to appointment for SMS, a candidate would be required to complete the Nyukela Programme: Pre-entry Certificate to Senior Management Services as endorsed by DPSA which is an online course, endorsed by the National School of Government (NSG).

The course is available at the NSG under the name Certificate for entry into the SMS and the full details can be sourced by the following link: https://www.thensg.gov.za/training-course/sms-pre-entry-programme/. Each application form must be fully completed, duly signed and initialed on both pages by the applicant.

The application must indicate the correct job title, the office where the position is advertised and the reference number as stated in the advert. Failure by the applicant to complete, sign and initial the application form will lead to disqualification of the application during the selection process.

Applications on the old Z83 will unfortunately not be considered. Should you be in possession of a foreign qualification, it must be accompanied by an evaluation considered.

Suitable candidates will be subjected to a personnel suitability check (criminal record, financial checks, qualification verification, citizenship checks, social media, reference checks and employment verification). Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates only.

If you have not been contacted within three (3) months after the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. The Department reserves the right not to make any appointment(s) to the advertised post(s).

Applicants who do not comply with the above-mentioned requirements, as well as applications received late, will not be considered. Failure to submit all the requested documents will result in the application not being considered during the selection process.

All successful candidates will be expected to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within 3 months of appointment, as well as be required to undergo a security clearance three (3) months after appointment. The Office the Chief Justice complies with the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA); Act No. 4 of 2013.

We will use your personal information provided to us for the purpose of recruitment only and more specifically for the purpose of the position/vacancy you have applied for. In the event that your application was unsuccessful, the Office of the Chief Justice will retain your personal information for internal audit purposes as required by policies.

All the information requested now or during the process is required for recruitment purposes. Failure to provide requested information will render your application null and void.

The Office of the Chief Justice will safeguard the security and confidentiality of all information you shared during the recruitment process.

Circular Notes

Circular Notes

can be submitted by hand delivery during office hours to 20 Steve Biko Street, Agriculture Place, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0002 or by email ASDERrecruit84@nda.gov.za NOTE: EE Target: Africans, Indians, Coloureds, Whites and Persons with Disabilities. 7 ANNEXURE B DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE APPLICATIONS: Department of Defence, Office of the Secretary for Defence, Private Bag X910, Pretoria, 0001 or you may hand deliver to ARMSCOR Building C/O Nossob & Delmas Ave, Erasmuskloof Ext 4, Pretoria, 0001 or email to zama.mahlangu@dod.mil.za CLOSING DATE: 28 September 2026 at 16h00 (Applications received after the closing date and faxed copies will not be considered).

NOTE: It is the Department’s intention to promote equity (race, gender and disability) through the filling of these posts with candidates whose transfer/promotion/appointment will promote representivity in line with the numeric targets as contained in our Employment Equity plan. Applications must be submitted on the prescribed form Z83 (obtainable from any Public Service

Enquiries

• Technical:
• Mr SD Hlongwane Tel No: (021) 469 4032 HR related enquiries:
• Ms N Chwethiso Tel No: (021) 480 2411

Required Documents

Z83, CV, Qualifications, Driver licence, Other

DPSA Circular Source

• Circular: DPSA Circular 33 of 2026
• Source pages: 67–68
• Open the DPSA circular PDF