Former minister and current ambassador of South Africa dies in Paris

South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nkosinati Emmanuel Mthethwa, was found dead after going missing.

His body was discovered on Tuesday, September 30, near the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris. Mthethwa was 58 years old. According to the prosecutor’s office, a security guard found his body in the courtyard at around 11:00. Several media outlets, including Le Parisien and The New York Times, confirmed the incident.

Mthethwa disappeared the day before. His wife reported to the police that she had received a “distressing message” from her husband, in which he apologized and said he intended to commit suicide. She last saw him at around 4:30 p.m. when he left the house, saying he was going for a cocktail. In fact, he had gone to the hotel where he had previously booked a room on the 22nd floor.

Investigators found that the window in the room had been broken with scissors left at the scene. There were no signs of a struggle or the use of drugs or alcohol. “Initial findings indicate a possible deliberate act without the intervention of a third party,” said Paris prosecutor Laure Becquo. The forensic police will conclude the investigation.

South Africa’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the diplomat’s death, stressing that it was not only a national tragedy but also a loss for the international diplomatic community. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola expressed his deepest condolences to Mtetwa’s family, while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called his death “a moment of great sadness.”

Nati Mtetwa, as he was often called, had a long political career, beginning with his involvement in underground activities within the African National Congress and the fight against apartheid. In 1994, he became secretary of the ANC Youth League, and later entered the National Assembly, where he chaired the committee on mining and energy.

From 2008 to 2010, Mthethwa served as Minister of Security, later as Minister of Police, and then as Minister of Arts and Culture. He was an active participant in the ruling party’s activities and served on the board of directors of the 2010 FIFA World Cup organizing committee.

In December 2023, Nkosinati Mthethwa became Ambassador to France and began his duties in February 2024. He also represented South Africa at UNESCO. After his death, it became known that the diplomat was survived by his wife and children.