'Fake' interpreter says he is schizophrenic

The Nelson Mandela memorial sign language interpreter, who has been dubbed a fake, has said that he suffers from schizophrenia.

In an interview with South Africa's Talk Radio 702, Thamsanqa Jantjie said he has been receiving treatment for this disorder, it was reported Thursday.

At the same time, he questioned as to why nobody picked up that he was faking while he was interpreting.

"Remember, you are talking about an interpreter who has been interpreting through these years. If I was wrong why should it become an issue now," Enca.com quoted Jantjie as telling the radio station.

Experts have said that Jantjie was neither interpreting in South African sign language nor in American sign language.

Claiming that he was a "champion of sign language", Jantjie said that the issue could have been dealt with early if Deaf South Africa DeafSA had picked up his way of sign language interpreting.

Meanwhile, Disabled People SA (DPSA) Thursday expressed outrage that Jantjie was allowed to make a mockery of disabled people during one of the country's most important events.

According to DPSA chief executive officer Jabulane Blose, this was not the first time that Jantjie has misinterpreted speakers.

Expressing deep disappointment at Jantjie being picked for Mandela memorial service, Blose said: "Any procurement system should have been able to ensure the best and qualified interpreters are deployed for that monumental occasion."