The man who appeared to provide sign language on stage during Nelson Mandela's memorial service was faking it.
The man who appeared to provide sign language on stage during Nelson Mandela’s memorial service this week “was moving his hands around but there was no meaning in what he used his hands for,” said Bruno Druchen, the national director for the Deaf Federation of South Africa, according to the Associated Press.
The unidentified man he stood on stage near President Obama and other world learders who spoke at the service. Additional sign language experts—including Druchen’s wife, Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen, a member of the South African Parliament who is deaf— said that the man was signing meaninglessly.
“It was horrible, an absolute circus, really, really bad,” Nicole Du Toit, an official sign language interpreter told the AP. ”Only he can understand those gestures.”
“Sign languages are not mime,” said Bruno Druchen in a statement, adding that the interpreter was not using recognized signs for the South African language.
Hundreds of people expressed their outrage on social media, while muliple deaf organizations confirmed his signing was, in fact, self-invented and mere gestures.
Druchen also said his federation recognized the same man from signing at another event last year hosted by the African National Congress party and attended by South African President Jacob Zuma.
In a statement released Wednesday about Nelson Mandela’s funeral, the South African government stated that it has opened an investigation of the “alleged incorrect use of sign language” but has not concluded its work due to organizing the funeral arrangements for the deceased leader.
“Government is looking into this matter but has not been able to conclude this inquiry due to the demanding schedule of organising events related to the State Funeral,” the statement read. “Government will report publicly on any information it may establish but wishes to assure South Africans that we are clear in defending the rights and dignity of people with disabilities.”
Questions surrounding the man’s entry into a high-security event have also surfaced. Edwin M. Donovan, the deputy assistant director for the U.S. Secret Service, told NBC News the sign language interpreter’s participation “were the responsibility of the host organizing committee.”