The African National Union (ANC) of South Africa has distanced itself from the appointment of Thamsanqa Jantjie, a sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial service, who they referred to as a "Bogus sign language interpreter".
"The ANC reiterates that the organisation did not take part in the government process to procure the service provider for the memorial service," ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said.
He was reacting to media reports that some employees of the ANC owned a company that employed the interpreter.
Media reports had indicated that Jantjie was employed by a company owned by the ANC's religious and traditional affairs desk chief, Bantubahle Xozwa.
Xozwa defended himself saying, "He was disqualified years ago from South African interpreters on the basis of his health. He was interpreting at the memorial service in his personal capacity."
"The ANC reiterates that the organisation did not take part in the government process to procure the service provider for the memorial service," ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said.
 |
| Thamsanqa Jantjie doing sign language at Nelson Mandela's Memorial service. (Reuters) |
Media reports had indicated that Jantjie was employed by a company owned by the ANC's religious and traditional affairs desk chief, Bantubahle Xozwa.
Xozwa defended himself saying, "He was disqualified years ago from South African interpreters on the basis of his health. He was interpreting at the memorial service in his personal capacity."