The diplomatic community has been thrown into shock following the sudden death of South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mth
The diplomatic community has been thrown into shock following the sudden death of South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, whose body was discovered outside a high-rise hotel in Paris on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
According to French prosecutors, the 58-year-old diplomat was found near the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where he had checked into a room on the 22nd floor.
Investigators confirmed that the room’s secure window appeared to have been forced open, raising questions about the circumstances of his fall.
Missing Report And Search Efforts
The incident followed reports by Mthethwa’s wife, who alerted French police on Monday evening after receiving what authorities described as a “worrying message” from her husband.
His last known phone signal was traced to the Bois de Boulogne, a sprawling park in western Paris. Police deployed sniffer dogs to comb the area in search of him, fearing he may have attempted suicide.
However, the search yielded no results until his body was later found near the hotel.
Investigations Underway
The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened a formal investigation into the ambassador’s death.
Authorities are yet to establish whether foul play was involved, though the forced window has become a focal point of the probe.
Officials have not ruled out the possibility of suicide, but they are also exploring alternative leads.
A Distinguished Political And Diplomatic Career
Mthethwa’s passing marks a tragic end to a career that spanned politics, governance, and international diplomacy.
A stalwart of the African National Congress (ANC), he served on the party’s powerful National Executive Committee (NEC) between 2007 and 2022. He also sat on the National Working Committee, responsible for the daily running of the party.
In government, Mthethwa occupied several ministerial portfolios over nearly two decades.
He served as Minister of Arts and Culture from 2014 to 2019 before being appointed Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture between 2019 and 2023.
Earlier in his career, he held the post of Minister of Police, a role in which he oversaw security operations during some of South Africa’s most turbulent years.
Mthethwa was also a prominent figure during South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, sitting on the Local Organising Committee’s Board of Directors. In December 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed him South Africa’s Ambassador to France, where he was tasked with deepening diplomatic and cultural ties between Pretoria and Paris.
He also represented the country as permanent delegate to UNESCO.
Government Reaction
The South African government confirmed his death in a statement expressing “deep sorrow and profound regret” at the diplomat’s untimely passing.
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola, who has been speaking for the government, described Mthethwa as “a distinguished servant of the nation” whose loss will be felt not only in South Africa but also within the international diplomatic community.
“He was a leader who embodied patriotism, commitment, and integrity,” the statement read. “We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, children, family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Legacy and Impact
Mthethwa’s death cuts short the life of a seasoned politician-turned-diplomat who had become a central figure in both the ANC and South Africa’s global outreach.
He is survived by his wife and children.
French authorities are continuing their investigations to uncover the full circumstances behind his mysterious death.
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