South African ambassador to France and former police minister Nathi Mthethwa was found dead in Paris, France on Tuesday.
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, the body of the 58-year-old was found at the foot of the high-rise Hyatt Regency Paris Etiole, where he had booked into a room on the 22nd floor.
Mthethwa’s wife reported him missing on Monday evening after she had received “worrying” messages from him, said the prosecutor’s office.
The office said a “secured window” had been “forced open”. Investigations are ongoing.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed Mthethwa’s death shortly after it was reported by Le Parisien.
“The Government of the Republic of South Africa announces with deep sorrow and profound regret the untimely passing of His Excellency Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa, South Africa’s Ambassador to the French Republic,” said DIRCO.
“I have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss but is also felt within the international diplomatic community,” said International Relations Minister, Ronald Lamola.
DIRCO confirmed that Mthethwa’s death was being investigated by French authorities.
Appointed French ambassador in 2024, Mthethwa – a once firm supporter of former president Jacob Zuma – cut a controversial figure while serving as minister of police.
The Madlanga Commission heard testimony from KwaZulu-Natal police chief lieutenant general Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi two weeks ago that Mthethwa allegedly forced the country’s former inspector-general of intelligence, Faith Radebe, to withdraw a criminal case against Richard Mdluli. Mkhwanazi was acting police commissioner at the time.
Mdluli was the head of SAPS Crime Intelligence at the time. He, together with the former South African Police Service Supply Chain Manager Heine Barnard and Chief Financial Officer, Solomon Lazarus, are facing charges of corruption, fraud and theft relating to the police’s secret slush fund from the time they were employed by SAPS in the Crime Intelligence Unit, between 2008 and 2012. It took 13 years for the matter to get to trial.
Mdluli allegedly spent millions on overseas trips with the money from the fund, and used property intended for the use of witness protection, for himself.
Relaying to the commission how Mthethwa allegedly forced Radebe to withdraw the case, Mkhwanazi said: “If you talk about political interference, that was the worst I’ve ever experienced”.
