The South African government said Friday it is aware of reports that the bogus sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial once faced a murder charge, and said he is being investigated.
Phumla Williams of the government communications office said the government is investigating Thamsanqa Jantjie and how he was selected to interpret at a memorial Tuesday at which he stood close to U.S. President Barack Obama and other leaders.
“We will come back and give a full report,” Williams said of questions surrounding Jantjie. She said she and other officials are currently focusing on mourning events, which have included three days of public viewing of Mandela's casket and will end with the anti-apartheid leader's burial on Sunday.
Wow. Bang-up job with the security, you guys. Probably not a great idea to let a man tormented by violent hallucinations within arm's reach of several world leaders.
It's pretty amazing how this story has gone from bizarre and humorous to more sinister as time goes on. We're half-expecting this guy to be revealed as a compatriot of Kim Jong Un before the weekend's over.
Considering all the strange twists and turns this has already taken, all bets are off the table.
[H/T: AP]
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