South Africa's ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, has been found dead near the four-star Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris, French officials have confirmed. The 58-year-old diplomat was reported missing by his wife following a troubling message from him, leading to concerns for his safety.
According to the Paris prosecutor's office, Mthethwa had booked a room on the 22nd floor of the hotel, and the security window of the room was found forced open. The exact circumstances regarding his death are currently unclear, prompting an investigation by French authorities.
Nathi Mthethwa was a high-ranking member of the African National Congress, the political party that established South Africa's democratic government in 1994 under Nelson Mandela. He had served as South Africa's ambassador to Paris since December 2023 and had earlier held positions as both police minister and arts and culture minister.
Notably allied with former President Jacob Zuma, Mthethwa was also implicated in the state capture inquiry, which investigated various allegations of corruption during Zuma's presidency.
In response to the tragic news, South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola paid tribute to Mthethwa, stating that his passing represents a significant loss for the nation and the global diplomatic community. The authorities are actively investigating the details surrounding the incident.
