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Johannesburg - The trial of soccer star Bryce Moon was adjourned on Wednesday when a court interpreter was accused of denying him a fair trial.
His lawyer Naren Sangham told the Randburg Magistrate's Court he had misgivings about the interpreter translating his cross-examination questions from English to Xhosa for a State witness.
"My client has extreme reservations about the manner in which the interpreter has been conducting himself throughout the procedures today," said Sangham.
He told magistrate Vince Pienaar that the interpreter had been engaging in extended conversations with the witness.
Moon is accused of killing Mavis Ncube in an accident in Sandhurst, Johannesburg. He was apparently driving at high speed when he ran over Ncube, who was walking to work.
Sangham told the court on Wednesday that the interpreter was not translating his questions to the witness correctly.
"I have corrected the interpreter three times or more today. I believe that if my client does not have a different interpreter, he would be denied his right to a fair trial."
The complaint from the defence came after Sangham asked metro police officer Mphumzi Tom about the report he compiled on the day of the accident.
He had asked Tom to show the court where Moon's car had struck Ncube.
In his first response, Tom said he could not show the court as the document he had was a copy of the actual report.
He said there was a hole in the paper which could have been caused by a punch.
Sangham told him the punch mark was not where he could have placed the X to show the point of impact.
Tom then made a marking on the report with a pen after the interpreter had spoken to him.
Sangham turned to Moon and spoke to him briefly before complaining about the interpreter.
Magistrate Pienaar allowed the request, but another interpreter was not immediately available.
The interpreter exchanged heated words with Sangham.
He told the advocate he had been doing his job for many years and he had never had such a complaint.
"It's a good thing you don't pay my salary," said the interpreter as he walked out of the court.
Moon said he could speak isiZulu and isiXhosa and was able to hear what was being said during the procedures.
Making his way out of court, Moon did not hesitate to pose for pictures with fans who recognised him.
The trial continues on Thursday.
His lawyer Naren Sangham told the Randburg Magistrate's Court he had misgivings about the interpreter translating his cross-examination questions from English to Xhosa for a State witness.
"My client has extreme reservations about the manner in which the interpreter has been conducting himself throughout the procedures today," said Sangham.
He told magistrate Vince Pienaar that the interpreter had been engaging in extended conversations with the witness.
Moon is accused of killing Mavis Ncube in an accident in Sandhurst, Johannesburg. He was apparently driving at high speed when he ran over Ncube, who was walking to work.
Sangham told the court on Wednesday that the interpreter was not translating his questions to the witness correctly.
"I have corrected the interpreter three times or more today. I believe that if my client does not have a different interpreter, he would be denied his right to a fair trial."
The complaint from the defence came after Sangham asked metro police officer Mphumzi Tom about the report he compiled on the day of the accident.
He had asked Tom to show the court where Moon's car had struck Ncube.
In his first response, Tom said he could not show the court as the document he had was a copy of the actual report.
He said there was a hole in the paper which could have been caused by a punch.
Sangham told him the punch mark was not where he could have placed the X to show the point of impact.
Tom then made a marking on the report with a pen after the interpreter had spoken to him.
Sangham turned to Moon and spoke to him briefly before complaining about the interpreter.
Magistrate Pienaar allowed the request, but another interpreter was not immediately available.
The interpreter exchanged heated words with Sangham.
He told the advocate he had been doing his job for many years and he had never had such a complaint.
"It's a good thing you don't pay my salary," said the interpreter as he walked out of the court.
Moon said he could speak isiZulu and isiXhosa and was able to hear what was being said during the procedures.
Making his way out of court, Moon did not hesitate to pose for pictures with fans who recognised him.
The trial continues on Thursday.
