Mandela Sign Language Interpreter Accused of Murder

eNCA, a television broadcaster that focuses on news from Africa, has today revealed that the sign language interpreter at Mandela’s memorial was reportedly faced with a murder charge in 2003. According to the broadcaster, it’s unknown if the case against Thamsanqa Jantjie was ever concluded “as the court file is mysteriously empty”. The report by legal journalist Karyn Maughan also states that their investigations found that the interpreter; “has also faced rape (1994), theft (1995), housebreaking (1997), malicious damage to property (1998), murder, attempted murder and kidnapping (2003) charges”. It’s said that he was acquitted on the rape charge but was convicted for theft for which he was sentenced to three years in prison, though it’s unclear as to whether he spent time behind bars. Many of the charges brought against him were dropped, because he was allegedly mentally unfit to stand trial.

Jantjie refused to respond to claims he was declared unfit to stand trial on murder because of psychiatric problems. @eNCAnews — Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) December 13, 2013

In the exclusive eNCA report, the court records reveal that the murder, attempted murder and kidnapping case in 2003 was against Jantjie and other people. The case was referred to the South Gauteng High Court in 2004 and apparently finalised in 2006 but the file is empty.

Jantjie became upset when I asked him about 2003 murder, attempted murder, kidnapping charges. Asked me "where you get this personal info" — Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) December 13, 2013

NPA confirmed existence of murder case against Jantjie, unable to say what happened to it. Case file is empty. @eNCAnews — Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) December 13, 2013

Following Nelson Mandela’s memorial it emerged that Jantjie, who was interpreting at the event, wasn’t making any sense with his signing. He has since said that he may have been experiencing a schizophrenic episode on stage. The South African government has admitted that he was “not a professional sign language interpreter.”