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.
President of the United States of America Donald Trump has sent a letter of gratitude to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev....
Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Hikmat Hajiyev, held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 23rd Doha Forum ...
The 23rd edition of the Doha Forum commenced on Saturday in the Qatari capital, focusing on the theme “Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progres...
A railway hub near Kyiv was struck during a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault, damaging the depot and railway carriages, the Ukrainian sta...
President of the United States of America Donald Trump has sent a letter of gratitude to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have strengthened their energy partnership with the launch of a joint exploration project in the Ustyurt region, highlighting growing strategic cooperation between the two countries.
The 23rd edition of the Doha Forum commenced on Saturday in the Qatari capital, focusing on the theme “Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., has finalized the group stage for the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, setting the schedule and matchups for next summer’s expanded 48-team event.
Israel was cleared on Thursday to participate in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, a decision made by the organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which sparked a major controversy.
Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their shared border late on Friday, a reminder of how sensitive the frontier remains despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for its support of the claims by United Arab Emirates on three Iranian islands.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu on Friday, a rare gesture seemingly reserved for the head of Europe's second-largest economy that highlights Beijing's focus on Paris in its ties with the European Union.
The 23rd edition of the Doha Forum commenced on Saturday in the Qatari capital, focusing on the theme “Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress.”
A railway hub near Kyiv was struck during a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault, damaging the depot and railway carriages, the Ukrainian state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia reported on Saturday.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 6th of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Australia has moved to directly pressure the Taliban leadership, imposing financial sanctions and travel bans on four senior officials it says are responsible for the steady erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment