Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa’s ambassador to France, has been reported deceased near the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris. French officials stated that Mthethwa, 58, was reported missing by his wife on Monday evening following a concerning message from him. He had booked a room on the hotel’s 22nd floor, and authorities noted that a security window had been forced open.
The details surrounding his death remain unclear, prompting an investigation by the Paris prosecutor’s office. A duty magistrate has been assigned to assess the scene. Mthethwa was a prominent figure in the African National Congress (ANC), which played a significant role in establishing democratic governance in South Africa following the end of apartheid in 1994.
Mthethwa took up the ambassadorship in December 2023 and held various governmental positions in the past, including Minister of Police and Minister of Arts and Culture. He was known to be a close ally of former President Jacob Zuma, and he was implicated in ongoing investigations into alleged corruption during Zuma’s presidency, commonly referred to as the state capture inquiry.
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola acknowledged Mthethwa’s contributions as a “distinguished servant of the nation” and expressed that his death would be felt not only nationally but also within the international diplomatic community. Lamola confirmed that French authorities are currently investigating the circumstances of Mthethwa’s passing.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3y505yq4ko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss