South Africa is in mourning following the sudden death of its ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, whose body was discovered in the courtyard of an upscale Paris hotel on Tuesday, in what French investigators believe was an apparent suicide.
The 58-year-old diplomat, a veteran public servant and former cabinet minister, had been missing since Monday evening after sending a message to his wife in which he apologized and indicated his intention to end his life, according to a statement from Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
Police were alerted after Mthethwa’s wife reported him missing, prompting a search that ended with the discovery of his body in the interior courtyard of the Hyatt Hotel, where he had checked into a room on the 22nd floor.
“Initial investigations suggest this could have been a deliberate act, without the intervention of a third party,” Beccuau said, adding that the investigation would continue “to collect all possible details.”
Investigators revealed that the safety mechanism of a window in Mthethwa’s room had been forced open with scissors, though no signs of a struggle or traces of drugs or medication were found at the scene. Authorities have not disclosed the exact cause of death pending the results of an autopsy.
Mthethwa, widely known as Nathi Mthethwa, had served as South Africa’s ambassador to France since his appointment in December 2023, following a long and distinguished career in government. He previously held key ministerial roles, including Minister of Police and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, where he was known for his commitment to public service and cultural development.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed deep sorrow over the news, describing Mthethwa’s passing as “a moment of profound grief.”
“Ambassador Mthethwa’s untimely death is a moment of deep sadness in which the government and citizens stand beside the Mthethwa family,” Ramaphosa said in a statement. “He served South Africa in numerous capacities during a lifetime that has ended prematurely and traumatically.”
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) also confirmed his death and hailed him as “a distinguished servant of the nation,” highlighting his decades of dedicated service in key governmental positions.
Mthethwa’s death has sent shockwaves through diplomatic and political circles both in Pretoria and Paris, where he was deeply respected for strengthening South Africa’s bilateral relations with France and promoting cultural exchange.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, and South African authorities are working closely with their French counterparts to repatriate his remains.
