Interpreter Jantjie taken to hospital

002 11.12.2013 Interpreter Thamsanqa Jantjie, who was interpreting at the memorial service of late former president Nelson Mandela at the FNB stadium, speaks at his home in Bramfischerville on what may may had caused him concentration as he was interpreting. Picture: Itumeleng English

002 11.12.2013 Interpreter Thamsanqa Jantjie, who was interpreting at the memorial service of late former president Nelson Mandela at the FNB stadium, speaks at his home in Bramfischerville on what may may had caused him concentration as he was interpreting. Picture: Itumeleng English

Published Dec 19, 2013

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Johannesburg - Thamsanqa Jantjie, the man who made world headlines with his fake sign language efforts at the Nelson Mandela memorial service at FNB Stadium last week, has been admitted to Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital.

Jantjie’s interpreting became the subject of derision after it was discovered that he had introduced words like “prawns” and “rocking horse” into some of the speeches.

His explanation, when later questioned, was that he had suffered a schizophrenic episode in which he had “seen angels and heard voices”. In a television interview, his wife showed off a bag full of medication he takes for his condition.

On Tuesday, Siziwe Jantjie took her husband to Sterkfontein Hospital in Krugersdorp for a check-up. It was suggested that he be admitted immediately. “The past few days have been hard. We have been supportive because he might have had a breakdown,” Siziwe said.

Jantjie was supposed to have gone to Sterkfontein on December 10 for a check-up.

However, when he was offered the job to interpret at the memorial service, it was Siziwe who called the hospital on his behalf and asked that he be given another date.

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The Star

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