28 Aug 2018

 On August 24 , Molepolole Magistrate Court staff bid farewell to one of the longest serving court interpreters, Mr Abram Khan who was retiring from the public service.

Known as Amingo-Amingo along the court corridors, Mr Khan, who resides at Borakalalo ward in Molepolole, said he was first inducted into legal interpreting in 1986 by his mentor, Mr Justice Moesi.

“He taught me a compilation of law reports and amendments of legislation among other basics and from there I worked with the current Attorney General, Mr Abraham Keetshabe while based in Molepolole as a junior magistrate. 

I was later transferred to Francistown where I worked with the late former Ombudsman, Mr Ofentse Lepodisi who was by then a magistrate,” he said.

On his profile, Mr Khan also mentions working with high profile legal brains such as the deputy registrar of the High Court, Mr Nelson Bopa, the late former chief justice, Mr Julian Nganunu and former deputy director of public prosecutions, Mr Leonard Sechele.

Mr Khan said he prides himself with working with chief magistrates wherever he was transferred to. 

He said he has interpreted for a couple of lawyers, and said he was thankful to government for the free education he was privileged to enjoy.

He revealed that in 2002 he did his legal interpreting course at the University of Free State in South Africa. In 2013 he got a certificate in law from the Universal College of Law in Gaborone.

 Mr Khan has also interpreted Customary Court of Appeal cases that were to go for appeal at the High Court.

The 60-year-old ‘Amingo’ said he also contributed to the translation of Setswana literature books for his late wife, Ms Grace Setlalekgosi-Khan, who wrote close to 22 Setswana literature books.

Mr Khan said his wife was a pillar of his career as she supported him all the time. Mr Khan believes that everyone has to contribute to their country and society without expecting to gain anything in return.

He said during his career he encountered risks as some accused persons falsely perceived him as the judge or magistrate who sentenced them to jail.

Speaking in an interview, Molepolole magistrate Ms Lindiwe Makgoro said Mr Khan started his career as a court interpreter when she was not even born, and that she started working with him in 2016.

She said he made her work look simple through his vast knowledge of the Constitution and court procedures.

“He was one of the best interpreters I have ever worked with, and he made the court atmosphere very lovely with his energetic and humorous interpreting. He could even make accused persons forget their problems and laugh. 

You never had a dull moment when he was interpreting for you,’’ she added. 

Ms Makgoro said Mr Khan interacted well with other staff members and that despite the age gap between them, he gave her all the respect. 

She revealed that Mr Khan was always abreast with current affairs through reading and researching during his spare time, and that he empowered himself with knowledge not only confined to the courtroom.

Ms Oboneng Tsheme, an office cleaner at Molepolole Magistrate Court, said she started working with Mr Khan in 1990 at the old court in Molepolole before he went on transfer to Gaborone. 

Ms Tsheme said Mr Khan executed his duties well and even went the extra mile to guide his colleagues.

“I remember there was a time when I was a casual worker and we worked for five months without pay, but Mr Khan always motivated us to continue working while waiting for the issue to be sorted out,” she said.

For her part, Mr Khan’s sister, Ms Sylvia Khan said her brother was a humble person at home, a good listener, never holds grudges and always speaks his mind, and that as a family they have learnt a lot from him. ENDS