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Owners of Mandela 'fake' interpreter firm 'vanish' Owners of Mandela 'fake' interpreter firm 'vanish'
(35 minutes later)
The owners of the firm which supplied a "fake" sign language interpreter to the Mandela memorial event have vanished, a South African minister has said.The owners of the firm which supplied a "fake" sign language interpreter to the Mandela memorial event have vanished, a South African minister has said.
Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu apologised to the deaf community for the poor quality of interpretation given by Thamsanqa Dyantyi from SA Interpreters.Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu apologised to the deaf community for the poor quality of interpretation given by Thamsanqa Dyantyi from SA Interpreters.
"He is Xhosa speaking. The English was a bit too much for him," she said."He is Xhosa speaking. The English was a bit too much for him," she said.
Mr Dyantyi himself has blamed his flawed interpretation on a schizophrenic episode.Mr Dyantyi himself has blamed his flawed interpretation on a schizophrenic episode.
He also admitted he has been violent in the past.He also admitted he has been violent in the past.
During the memorial, Mr Dyantyi was employed to stand on the stage next to key speakers such as US President Barack Obama and Mr Mandela's grandchildren, translating their eulogies.During the memorial, Mr Dyantyi was employed to stand on the stage next to key speakers such as US President Barack Obama and Mr Mandela's grandchildren, translating their eulogies.
But the minister denied there was a security issue, saying the interpreter had been properly accredited.But the minister denied there was a security issue, saying the interpreter had been properly accredited.
Mr Mandela died last week at the age of 95, and will be buried on Sunday.Mr Mandela died last week at the age of 95, and will be buried on Sunday.
His body is currently lying in state in Pretoria, with thousands queuing to pay their respects.His body is currently lying in state in Pretoria, with thousands queuing to pay their respects.
'No embarrassment''No embarrassment'
Ever since Tuesday's event, pressure has been mounting on the government to explain why Mr Dyantyi was hired for such an important event.Ever since Tuesday's event, pressure has been mounting on the government to explain why Mr Dyantyi was hired for such an important event.
During a press conference, Ms Bogopane-Zulu, the deputy minister for women, children and people with disabilities, admitted that a mistake had been made but said there was no reason for the country to be embarrassed.During a press conference, Ms Bogopane-Zulu, the deputy minister for women, children and people with disabilities, admitted that a mistake had been made but said there was no reason for the country to be embarrassed.
"There are as many as a hundred sign language dialects," she said, to explain the difficulties he faced."There are as many as a hundred sign language dialects," she said, to explain the difficulties he faced.
"He started well and later he became tired. Guidelines say we must switch interpreters every 20 minutes.""He started well and later he became tired. Guidelines say we must switch interpreters every 20 minutes."
She did not rule out employing him in some circumstances again.She did not rule out employing him in some circumstances again.
But she accused Mr Dyantyi's employers, SA Interpreters, of being cheats, and said the company's directors had now vanished into thin air.But she accused Mr Dyantyi's employers, SA Interpreters, of being cheats, and said the company's directors had now vanished into thin air.
Mr Dyantyi's performance was watched on television by millions of people worldwide.Mr Dyantyi's performance was watched on television by millions of people worldwide.
He said that during the event, he lost concentration because of voices in his head. He said he saw angels coming into the stadium. He said that during the event, he had lost concentration because of voices in his head.
"There was nothing I could do. I was alone in a very dangerous situation," Mr Jantjie told Johannesburg's Star newspaper. He said he had started hallucinating, and saw angels coming into the stadium.
Mr Jantjie's performance at the memorial provoked anger among South Africa's deaf community. "I was in a very difficult position," he said.
He also indicated that his past behaviour had sometimes been unpredictable, telling the Associated Press news agency that "sometimes I will react violent on this place, sometimes I will see things chasing me".
Mr Dyantyi's performance at the memorial provoked anger among South Africa's deaf community.
During the broadcast, Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen, the country's first deaf female MP, tweeted: "ANC-linked interpreter on the stage with dep president of ANC is signing rubbish. He cannot sign. Please get him off."During the broadcast, Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen, the country's first deaf female MP, tweeted: "ANC-linked interpreter on the stage with dep president of ANC is signing rubbish. He cannot sign. Please get him off."
It appears that Mr Jantjie has worked for the ANC before, as footage from two big ANC events last year show him signing on stage next to President Jacob Zuma. It appears that Mr Dyantyi has worked for the ANC before, as footage from two big ANC events last year show him signing on stage next to President Jacob Zuma.
The South Africa's Translators' Institute said there had been complaints over Mr Jantjie's work before, but the ruling party had taken no action. The South Africa's Translators' Institute said there had been complaints over Mr Dyantyi's work before, but the ruling party had taken no action.
Final journeyFinal journey
After Mr Mandela's body has lain in state for three days, the military will fly him to the Eastern Cape from Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.After Mr Mandela's body has lain in state for three days, the military will fly him to the Eastern Cape from Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.
A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival, and the coffin will then be placed on a gun carriage and transported to a hearse.A military guard of honour will welcome the arrival, and the coffin will then be placed on a gun carriage and transported to a hearse.
Mr Mandela's body will then be taken to his home village of Qunu, where the Thembu community will conduct a traditional ceremony.Mr Mandela's body will then be taken to his home village of Qunu, where the Thembu community will conduct a traditional ceremony.
A national day of reconciliation will take place on 16 December when a statue of Mr Mandela will be unveiled at the Union Buildings.A national day of reconciliation will take place on 16 December when a statue of Mr Mandela will be unveiled at the Union Buildings.
Big screens have been set up across South Africa to show the planned national events.Big screens have been set up across South Africa to show the planned national events.