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S Africa investigates 'fake signer' security checks S Africa investigates 'fake signer' security checks
(about 1 hour later)
South Africa's deputy disability minister says the government is investigating how a man who faked sign language at the Mandela memorial was given security clearance.South Africa's deputy disability minister says the government is investigating how a man who faked sign language at the Mandela memorial was given security clearance.
Thamsanqa Dyantyi, who stood alongside national and international leaders at the event, has blamed his actions on a schizophrenic episode.Thamsanqa Dyantyi, who stood alongside national and international leaders at the event, has blamed his actions on a schizophrenic episode.
He said he had become violent during such episodes in the past.He said he had become violent during such episodes in the past.
The agency who employed him, SA Interpreters, has reportedly vanished. The agency that employed him, SA Interpreters, has reportedly vanished.
The African National Congress (ANC) has said it has used Mr Dyantyi as an interpreter several times before, and had not been aware of any complaints about his qualifications or health. The African National Congress (ANC) said it had used Mr Dyantyi as an interpreter several times before, and "had not been aware of any of complaints regarding the quality of services, qualifications or reported illnesses" of the interpreter.
But it said Tuesday's memorial at a stadium in Johannesburg was organised by the state, not the ANC, so the ruling party could not comment on security arrangements.But it said Tuesday's memorial at a stadium in Johannesburg was organised by the state, not the ANC, so the ruling party could not comment on security arrangements.
The South African Translators' Institute earlier said there had been complaints over Mr Dyantyi's work before, but that the ANC had taken no action. The South African Translators' Institute said earlier that there had been complaints over Mr Dyantyi's work before, but that the ANC had taken no action.
The ANC said it would "follow up the reported correspondence that has supposedly been sent to us in this regard and where necessary act on it".
'No embarrassment''No embarrassment'
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.
During the memorial, Mr Dyantyi stood on the stage next to key speakers including US President Barack Obama, South African President Jacob Zuma and Mr Mandela's grandchildren, translating their eulogies.During the memorial, Mr Dyantyi stood on the stage next to key speakers including US President Barack Obama, South African President Jacob Zuma and Mr Mandela's grandchildren, translating their eulogies.
Mr Dyantyi's performance was watched on television by millions of people worldwide and angered the South African deaf community. Pressure has been mounting on the government to explain why he was hired for such an important event.Mr Dyantyi's performance was watched on television by millions of people worldwide and angered the South African deaf community. Pressure has been mounting on the government to explain why he was hired for such an important event.
Deputy Disability Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu told a news conference on Thursday that the interpreter had been properly accredited and there was no security concern.Deputy Disability Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu told a news conference on Thursday that the interpreter had been properly accredited and there was no security concern.
But she said: "In terms of security clearance that is in a process, we are requesting to check his vetting.But she said: "In terms of security clearance that is in a process, we are requesting to check his vetting.
"But normally when you do provide a service at a particular level you will be vetted and as you could see he had his accreditation, so he didn't just walk through.""But normally when you do provide a service at a particular level you will be vetted and as you could see he had his accreditation, so he didn't just walk through."
She apologised to the deaf community but said there was no reason for the country to be embarrassed.She apologised to the deaf community but said there was no reason for the country to be embarrassed.
"There are as many as a hundred sign language dialects," she said, explaining that Mr Dyantyi speaks Xhosa and that "the English was a bit too much for him"."There are as many as a hundred sign language dialects," she said, explaining that Mr Dyantyi speaks Xhosa and that "the English was a bit too much for him".
She did not rule out employing him in some circumstances again but accused Mr Dyantyi's employers of being cheats, and said the directors had of SA interpreters had since vanished. She did not rule out employing him in some circumstances again but accused Mr Dyantyi's employers of being cheats, and said the directors had of SA Interpreters had since vanished.
Mr Dyantyi himself has blamed his flawed interpretation on a schizophrenic episode. He also admitted he has been violent in the past.Mr Dyantyi himself has blamed his flawed interpretation on a schizophrenic episode. He also admitted he has been violent in the past.
He said that during the event, he had lost concentration because of voices in his head. He told the BBC that during the event, he had had a breakdown, and started hallucinating about angels coming down into the crowd.
He said he had started hallucinating, and saw angels coming into the stadium. "I started knowing that I am not real, because it's not something possible. But believe me I saw them coming on stage.
"I was in a very difficult position," he said. "From that moment, it was not myself," he said, saying he had becoming concerned for the safety of people in the stadium.
He said he was "absolutely" aware that he was not signing correctly.
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".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".
Final journeyFinal journey
Mr Mandela's body is lying in state until the 13 December, when the military will fly the coffin to the Eastern Cape from Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.Mr Mandela's body is lying in state until the 13 December, when the military will fly the coffin 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.