French authorities are investigating the sudden death of South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, who was discovered dead in the courtyard of a Paris hotel on Tuesday morning.
According to preliminary findings, the 58-year-old diplomat is believed to have fallen from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile Hotel, where he had checked in a day earlier. Investigators revealed that the hotel room’s safety window mechanism had been forced open, with scissors found at the scene. However, no signs of a struggle, drugs, or medication were discovered.
A Distinguished yet controversial career
Mthethwa was a veteran of the African National Congress (ANC), rising through its ranks as an anti-apartheid activist before serving as South Africa’s Minister of Police and later as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture. He also played a key role in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organizing Committee.
While widely respected for his public service, his career was shadowed by corruption allegations. Testimonies before various commissions accused him of benefiting from misused intelligence funds, including the alleged purchase of a luxury vehicle during his time as police minister. Mthethwa consistently denied all wrongdoing and had been expected to respond to fresh corruption allegations before his death.
Reactions and suspicion
President Cyril Ramaphosa mourned Mthethwa’s passing, describing him as “a distinguished servant of the nation, whose career was marked by dedicated service.”
However, opposition voices have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his death. Political activist Carl Niehaus claimed Mthethwa’s passing “happened under evidently suspicious
For now, investigators in Paris are collecting evidence to determine whether Mthethwa’s death was indeed a suicide or if other factors were involved.
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