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A fake sign language interpreter took to the stage at the Nelson Mandela memorial service and gesticulated gibberish before a global audience of millions.

Deaf people across the world were outraged after the imposter signed nonsense as he stood beside world leaders including Barack Obama.

The hunt is now on for the mystery man, who was wearing an official ­security pass around his neck during the event at the 95,000-seater Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.

Questions are now being asked about security procedures and how he was able to share the stage with some of the 91 heads of state who attended.

Footage has also emerged of what appeared to be the same man pulling a similar stunt next to South African President Jacob Zuma at an African National Congress event last year.

Delphin Hlungwane, an official South African sign language interpreter at DeafSA, attacked the faker’s display at Tuesday’s service.

She said: “He was basically gesturing. He didn’t follow any of the grammatical rules and structure of the language. He just invented his signs as he went along. There was zero per cent accuracy.

“He couldn’t even get the basics right. He couldn’t even say thank you.”

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She said the “interpreter” also failed to relay to television viewers, as is expected for signers, that the crowd gave a hostile reception to Mr Zuma – a scandal-plagued leader who faces an election in less than six months.

Delphin added: “You’re supposed to indicate with your facial ­expressions, even if it’s not an exact sign. He didn’t indicate that at all. It just passed him by.”

Many TV viewers noticed the interpreter’s actions on stage did not match the gestures of the studio signer in the corner of the screen.

Braam Jordaan, a deaf South African and board member of the World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section, fumed: “The structure of his hand, facial expressions and the body movements did not follow what the speaker was saying.

“I was really upset and humiliated by the mystery interpreter who was supposed to be signing what Barack Obama, the president of United States of America, was saying. He made up his own signs.

“What happened at the memorial service is a truly disgraceful thing to see – it should not happen at all.

"What happened will be forever aligned with Nelson Mandela and the deaf ­community, thanks to this fake ­interpreter.”

Sheena Walters, another sign language expert, added: “It seems quite obvious that the­ ­interpreter isn’t using South African sign language.

“Most sign languages across the world share a similar structure and pattern and this person seems to be making a lot of repetitive signs and isn’t displaying the usual facial expression or structure of sign language that you would normally see.”

Other members of the deaf ­community took to Twitter to express outrage. Sign language ­interpreter ­Francois Deysel said the faker was “making a mockery of our profession”.

The South African government, which was officially in charge of the ceremony, said it was investigating the blunder, but had been overwhelmed with work preparing for Mandela’s funeral on Sunday.

Collins Chabane, one of two Presidency ­Ministers, said: “The ­government is looking into this matter but has not been able to conclude this inquiry due to the demanding schedule of organising events.”

The ruling African National Congress also claimed to have no knowledge of the man, even though television footage from a party event a year ago appears to show him gesticulating on a stage beside Zuma.

Spokesman Jackson Mthembu said: “I don’t know this guy. He doesn’t work for the ANC. It was a government event.”

Can you spot the difference? Click here to see what Nelson Mandela tribute SHOULD have looked like in sign language.