PRINCIPAL COURT INTERPRETER is a South African government vacancy at Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ). This job is part of Circular 17 of 2026 from the DPSA. centre: Western Cape Division of The High Court: Cape Town | closing date: 05 June 2026. Use this page to review the requirements, duties, application instructions and official source links before applying.
Job details
Salary
R413 001 – R486 501 per annum (Level 08). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.
Centre
Western Cape Division of The High Court: Cape Town
Requirements
- Applicants should be in possession of a three (3) years National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or equivalent qualification at NQF level 6 with 360 credits as recognised by SAQA.
- A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in court interpreting or Grade twelve (12) certificate with at least ten (10) years practical experience in Court Interpreting.
- Two (2) years supervisory experience, Proficiency in English and Afrikaans and /or IsiXhosa, a valid driver’s licence will serve as an 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: Oral and written languages proficiency testing skills, excellent communication skills, time management, computer literacy, analytic thinking, good interpersonal skills, problem solving, planning and organizing, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, art of interpreting and supervising the Language Section.
Duties
- Render interpreting services in the High Court &
- Labour Court in high profile matters and quasi-judicial proceedings: Interpret in complex cases, interpret in criminal Labour Court matters, interpret in conciliation and arbitration disciplinary hearings, interpret civil in confessions, Interpret pre-trial proceedings and consultations for the DPP.
- Control, supervise and attend to personnel administrative aspects for interpreter component: Provide mentoring and coaching to junior/ Senior Court interpreters, manage performance agreement contracts, draw a schedule for replacement of Court Interpreters, control leave of Senior Court Interpreters and submit Court hour registers, quarterly submit probation reports, translate Legal documents and exhibits for the Judiciary, assist with reconstruction of court proceeding records, procure foreign language interpreters and causals in line with PFMA and the relevant policy, report statistical information to the Chief Registrar or Court Manager, develop terminology, coin words, perform specific line and administrative support functions to the Judiciary, Database development, provide terms and their respective meanings in the glossary register, Supervise and develop staff, provide effective people management, provide practical training for staff and develop, implement and monitor work systems and processes to ensure efficient and effective functioning and address enquiries and provide advice and guidance on asset allocation and control.
Enquiries
Technical Related Enquiries: Ms. N Chwethiso Tel No: (021) 480 2637 HR Related Enquiries: Mr SD Hlongwane Tel No: (021) 469 4029
Applications
Where to send your application.
Applications can be sent via email to 2026/33/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
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 SMS, shall undertake two pre-entry assessments. One must be a practical exercise, 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. All shortlisted candidates for SMS posts will be subjected to a technical competency exercise that intends to test relevant technical elements of the job, the logistics of which will be communicated by the Department. Following the interview and technical exercise, the selection panel will recommend candidates to attend generic managerial competencies using the mandated DPSA SMS competency assessment tools. 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, 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.
Notes
The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.
Z83 form: Government job applications usually require the Z83 application form. Download the Z83 application form before applying.
Original Text
SALARY : R413 001 – R486 501 per annum (Level 08). The successful candidate will be required to sign a performance agreement.
CENTRE : Western Cape Division of The High Court: Cape Town
REQUIREMENTS : Applicants should be in possession of a three (3) years National Diploma in Legal Interpreting or equivalent qualification at NQF level 6 with 360 credits as
recognised by SAQA. A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in court interpreting or Grade twelve (12) certificate with at least ten (10) years practical
experience in Court Interpreting. Two (2) years supervisory experience,
Proficiency in English and Afrikaans and /or IsiXhosa, a valid driver’s licence will serve as an 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: Oral and written languages proficiency testing skills, excellent communication skills, time management, computer literacy, analytic
thinking, good interpersonal skills, problem solving, planning and organizing, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, art of interpreting and supervising
the Language Section.
DUTIES : Render interpreting services in the High Court & Labour Court in high profile matters and quasi-judicial proceedings: Interpret in complex cases, interpret in
criminal Labour Court matters, interpret in conciliation and arbitration disciplinary hearings, interpret civil in confessions, Interpret pre-trial
proceedings and consultations for the DPP. Control, supervise and attend to personnel administrative aspects for interpreter component: Provide mentoring
and coaching to junior/ Senior Court interpreters, manage performance agreement contracts, draw a schedule for replacement of Court Interpreters,
control leave of Senior Court Interpreters and submit Court hour registers, quarterly submit probation reports, translate Legal documents and exhibits for
the Judiciary, assist with reconstruction of court proceeding records, procure foreign language interpreters and causals in line with PFMA and the relevant
policy, report statistical information to the Chief Registrar or Court Manager, develop terminology, coin words, perform specific line and administrative
support functions to the Judiciary, Database development, provide terms and their respective meanings in the glossary register, Supervise and develop staff,
provide effective people management, provide practical training for staff and develop, implement and monitor work systems and processes to ensure
efficient and effective functioning and address enquiries and provide advice and guidance on asset allocation and control.
ENQUIRIES : Technical Related Enquiries: Ms. N Chwethiso Tel No: (021) 480 2637 HR Related Enquiries: Mr SD Hlongwane Tel No: (021) 469 4029
APPLICATIONS : Applications can be sent via email to 2026/33/OCJ@judiciary.org.za
NOTE : The Organisation will give preference to candidates in line with the Employment Equity goals.
Official source
This vacancy was imported from DPSA Circular 17 of 2026 for reference.
Disclaimer: This vacancy was imported from the official DPSA circular PDF. Please confirm the reference number, closing date, and application instructions in the original circular before applying. View the official DPSA vacancy circulars.



