An Umlazi court interpreter is suing the court’s acting chief magistrate, who allegedly had her hauled into holding cells when she asked for a lunch break.

The interpreter, Z Mngadi, is suing Magistrate Fordsman Myeni for insulting her dignity and for unlawful detention.

Mngadi says she was placed in the court cells after she asked if she could take a lunch break in September last year.

A court source, who asked not to be named for fear of intimidation, said that the court had started at 10.20am on that day and continued hearing cases until 1pm, without adjourning for the 11am tea break.

The source said Mngadi had enquired from the prosecutor at around 1pm if the court officials could take the lunch adjournment, but Myeni continued with proceedings.

Ten minutes later, proceedings were continuing and Mngadi was asked to translate. However, she asked Myeni if they could take the lunch break or a short break as she was hungry and could not concentrate.

Myeni allegedly told Mngadi to do as she was told, or she would be “locked up”. He then asked the court orderlies to detain her in the cells.

According to the source, Mngadi was put in a cell adjacent to one holding two awaiting-trial prisoners, until her supervisor spoke to Myeni and she was released.

Myeni was quoted in the Daily News last year denying that Mngadi had been detained. He said that he had made the detention order, but said that Mngadi had not reached the holding cell before he reversed the order.

Myeni was further quoted as saying that he would explain the incident to the Magistrates’ Commission, which was investigating the incident.

The incident caused an uproar among the court’s interpreters, who went on strike the following day, affecting proceedings and leading to most cases being postponed.

See: IOL News