JOHANNESBURG -- A man who appeared to provide sign language interpretation on stage for Nelson Mandela's memorial service, attended by scores of heads of state, was a "fake," the national director of the Deaf Federation of South Africa said on Wednesday.

The federation's Delphin Hlungwane told CBS News the interpreter isn't registered with the association or the South African Translators' Institute. Johan Blaauw, vice chairperson for the institute, also had strong words on the interpreter's performance. "This person was not interpreting, he was making it up," Blaauw told CBS News. "There was no message in it. He was a complete phony. It wasn't sign language." President Obama looks down as he stands next to the sign-language interpreter as he makes his speech at the memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela at FNB Stadium in Soweto near Johannesburg Dec. 10, 2013. AP Photo Blaauw said the ANC has used this alleged interpreter before and that he wasn't sure why he got the job. Blaauw said the ANC has used this alleged interpreter before and that he wasn't sure why he got the job. "Maybe it's nepotism," Blaauw said. Nelson Mandela Memorial at Soweto Stadium 17 photos The allegation was yet another example of bad organization at the historic memorial service Tuesday, which was marred by public transportation breakdowns that hindered mourners from getting to the soccer stadium venue. In addition, a faulty audio system made the remarks of world leaders inaudible for many. Police also failed to search the first wave of crowds who The allegation was yet another example of bad organization at the historic memorial service Tuesday, which was marred by public transportation breakdowns that hindered mourners from getting to the soccer stadium venue. In addition, a faulty audio system made the remarks of world leaders inaudible for many. Police also failed to search the first wave of crowds who rushed inside the stadium after authorities opened the gates just after dawn.



Collins Chabane, one of South Africa's two presidency ministers, said the government is investigating the matter but has not finished yet because it has been overwhelmed with work organizing the public viewing of Mandela's body in the South African capital of Pretoria and his funeral Sunday in his hometown of Qunu. He added the "government will report publicly on any information it may establish." Four sign language experts, including Druchen, said the man was not signing in South African or American sign languages and could not have been signing in any other known sign language because there was no structure to his arm and hand movements. South African sign language covers all of the country's 11 official languages, according to the federation. Procession brought Nelson Mandela's casket to... 02:33 Ingrid Parkin, principal of the St. Vincent School for the Deaf in Johannesburg, said she's received complaints from the deaf community from Canada to China about the man on stage and that his movements look "like he's signing gibberish." He also used no facial expression to convey the emotions of the leaders, a key element of sign language interpretation. Ingrid Parkin, principal of the St. Vincent School for the Deaf in Johannesburg, said she's received complaints from the deaf community from Canada to China about the man on stage and that his movements look "like he's signing gibberish." He also used no facial expression to convey the emotions of the leaders, a key element of sign language interpretation.