Mystery Shrouds Mthethwa’s Death in Paris

Abigail Visagie

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has confirmed the untimely passing of South African Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, who was discovered lifeless following a fall from the 22nd floor of a hotel in Paris. French news reports indicate Mthethwa’s body was found at the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile. Mthethwa had held various governmental roles, notably serving as Police Minister from May 2009 to May 2014, and as South Africa’s Ambassador to the French Republic since December 2023, tasked with strengthening the vital partnership and bilateral ties between the two nations. “I do not doubt that his passing is not only a national loss but is also felt within the international diplomatic community,” Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, stated. DIRCO confirmed that French authorities are currently investigating the ambassador’s death. Meanwhile, sources in France have reported that the incident, which might initially have appeared to be an accident, could probably be a suicide. The first District of the Judicial Police in Paris (DPJ) has stipulated that initial investigations suggest the act was deliberate, “without third-party intervention,” according to the prosecutor’s office. This was further complicated by the fact that the South African Embassy to France was reportedly unreachable on Tuesday morning when Mthethwa’s death was announced. Shocking news also revealed that Mthethwa might have left cryptic messages to his wife and a final farewell message resembling a suicide note. Mthethwa’s wife had reported him missing a day prior to the discovery, claiming she last saw her husband in the afternoon as he left their Paris home to attend a cocktail party. However, the prosecutor’s office confirmed that Mthethwa had booked himself into the Hyatt Hotel ten days in advance. The prosecutor’s office further detailed the sequence of events. “That same evening, Mthethwa sent a final worrying message to his wife. He offered her his apologies and expressed his intention to end his life.”A Hyatt Hotel security guard made the gruesome discovery around 11:10 on Tuesday morning in the interior courtyard of the establishment. The room, located on the 22nd floor, showed signs that the window’s anti-opening safety mechanism had been forced with scissors left at the scene; no signs of a struggle or consumption of medication or narcotics were found. Speculations have also surfaced connecting the diplomat’s death to the Madlanga Commission. Mthethwa was reportedly mentioned during the commission by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged that during his tenure as police minister, Mthethwa had forced former Inspector-General of Intelligence, Faith Radebe, to withdraw a criminal case against former Intelligence General, Richard Mdluli. Mthethwa was allegedly on the witness list of the Madlanga Commission before his tragic death. This revelation and the suddenness of his passing have raised questions that Mthethwa could have allegedly committed suicide in fear of facing the commission, a possibility the Commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, refused to comment on to various media outlets. Meanwhile: Deputy Minister for DIRCO, Alvin Botes scratched out the notion that Mthethwa could have committee suicide, claiming that the department will not subscribe to any narrative. Botes pleaded with the media to await preliminary outcomes which will be released on Sunday by French authorities.