South Africa: Ambassador to France found dead near Paris hotel

One of South Africa’s top diplomats, the Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, has been found dead near a four-star hotel in Paris, according to BBC News, September 30.

Yesterday evening, French police were notified that the 58 year-old had gone missing by his wife after she had earlier received a “worrying message from him,” according to the prosecutor’s office in Paris.

Booking a room on the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, prosecutors have revealed in a strange turn of events that his security window had been forced open.

The investigation into the suspicious circumstances of his death has now been opened, though what could have caused his death at this stage remain clear. Meanwhile, the office added that a duty Magistrate was “going to the scene.”

The French Ambassador was a senior member of the African National Congress, famous for being the political party that brought an end to South African apartheid in 1994 with the election of Nelson Mandela, ushering in the country’s democratic era.

Formerly a Minister in the South African government, occupying the Police as well as Arts and Culture ministries at various points in time, he had served as the Ambassador to Paris since December of 2023.

A close ally to the now disgraced former President, Jacob Zuma, he had been implicated in high-level corruption schemes in what is known locally as the ‘State Capture Inquiry,’ investigating the extent of corruption throughout the Zuma Presidency.

“I have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss but is also felt within the international diplomatic community,” Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Foreign Minister said in a statement. Lamola added that Mthethwa, through his years of service was a “distinguished servant of the nation.”

Mr Lamola has confirmed to the Press that French authorities are indeed investigating the suspicious death of South Africa’s French Ambassador.

With the investigation now underway, the diplomatic community, South Africa and the French will be waiting in earnest to find out what investigators uncover about Nathi Mthethwa’s passing.

BBC News, Maghrebi.org