A South African sign language interpreter accused of making up his own signs during a memorial to Nelson Mandela has faced charges for murder, rape and kidnapping, it was claimed today.
Thamsanqa Jantjie, 34, stood just a few feet from from President Obama and others who spoke at Tuesday's ceremony that was broadcast around the world.
South African news website eNCA reported that Mr Jantjie, who has schizophrenia, has faced charges for rape (1994), theft (1995), housebreaking (1997), malicious damage to property (1998), murder, attempted murder and kidnapping (2003) charges.
The website said it was unclear if the 2003 murder case was ever concluded as the court file was found to be empty during their investigations
Mr Jantjie was acquitted on the rape charge, but he was convicted of theft for which he was sentenced to three years in prison. The channel could not ascertain if he served the jail time.
MailOnline has contacted the NPA for a comment on the claims.
Mr Jantjie was today approached by a reporter for the Associated press who asked him about the criminal charges, but he refused to comment.
The news is a further embarrassment to South African officials at it was revealed that Mr Jantjie had faked sign language at the memorial event.
Yesterday Mr Jantjie revealed he may have suffered a schizophrenic episode on stage after claiming he saw 'angels' at the event.
He said that his hallucinations began while he was interpreting and that he tried not to panic because there were 'armed policemen around me.'
SOURCE-DAILYMAIL
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