The fake sign language interpreter who signed at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service this month in South Africa before being outed as a fraud has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital, according to news reports.
Thamsanqa Jantjie stood mere feet from President Obama and other top leaders at the ceremony in Johannesburg on Dec. 10, but deaf persons said his gestures didn’t make any sense.
NBC News reported Thursday the man, who says he may have suffered a schizophrenic attack, was admitted to the Sterkfontein Hospital in Krugersdorp on Tuesday.
The report, citing quotes from the man’s wife to a Johannesburg-based newspaper, said he went in for a checkup, but it was suggested that he be admitted.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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