South Africa’s ambassador to France found dead in Paris

South African Ambassador to France Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa was found dead on Tuesday at the base of the four-star Hyatt Regency Hotel in western Paris, French authorities confirmed.

Mthethwa, 58, was reported missing by his wife on Monday evening after she received a “worrying message” from him. The Paris prosecutor’s office said the high-floor hotel room’s secure window had been forced open, and a duty magistrate was dispatched to the scene to investigate.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear. French authorities are conducting a full inquiry, with members of the Judiciary Police at the hotel as part of ongoing investigations. Local media reports suggest Mthethwa may have taken his own life, though officials have not confirmed this.

Mthethwa, a senior member of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), had served in several government posts, including Minister of Arts and Culture and Minister of Police, before being appointed ambassador to France in December 2023. He was implicated in the Madlanga Commission, a national inquiry investigating widespread corruption and alleged collusion between politicians, police officials, and organised crime, including the so-called “Big Five” cartel.

During his tenure as police minister, Mthethwa faced allegations of political interference in police operations, including attempts to influence charges against a former head of South Africa’s police crime intelligence agency. He was also listed as a potential witness in ongoing investigations into corruption and misconduct within the police.

Prime Minister Jacob Zuma’s ally, Mthethwa had been a prominent figure in the ANC for decades and was involved in high-level politics in the KwaZulu-Natal region, where politically motivated killings have previously occurred.

Mthethwa was last seen publicly on Saturday, attending a military ceremony in northern France where he laid a wreath for a South African soldier killed during World War One.

French authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances, while South African officials coordinate with their Paris embassy to manage the situation.

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