The South African sign language interpreter accused of using “fake” signs at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service this week said he suffered a schizophrenic episode at the event during which he hallucinated and heard voices.
Thamsanqa Jantjie made the admissions to Johannesburg’s Star newspaper Thursday following allegations that have led to him being called an impostor.
“There was nothing I could do. I was alone in a very dangerous situation,” Jantjie said. “I tried to control myself and not show the world what was going on. I am very sorry, it’s the situation I found myself in.”
In a separate interview with the Associated Press, Jantjie said he saw visions of angels coming to the stadium. He also told the AP that he has previously been violent.
The AP interview noted that Jantjie stood approximately three feet from President Obama during Tuesday’s ceremony to honor Mandela.
Jantjie told the Star newspaper that he was paid R850, or about $85, to interpret at the ceremony that was broadcast around the world and was attended by dozens of world leaders, many of whom Jantjie shared the stage with at the FNB Stadium outside Johannesburg.
