Nathi Mthethwa’s wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi, has broken her silence after her husband’s alleged suicide this week, stating that she had “finally had a good night’s sleep” after her family flew to France to support her.
The former minister, now South African Ambassador to France, is believed to have jumped to his death from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Hotel in Paris.
Mthethwa’s wife is not contesting the preliminary findings of her husband’s death.
French authorities have also ruled out foul play.
NATHI MTHETHWA’S WIFE SPEAKS OUT
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Nathi Mthethwa’s widow, Philisiwe Buthelezi, spoke out for the first time since her husband’s body was discovered on Tuesday, 30 September, outside the Hyatt Hotel in Paris.
Hours earlier, Buthelezi had reported her husband missing to the police. This after she received a “worrying” text message from him about ending his life.
Buthelezi told the broadcaster that she had “finally had a good night’s sleep, for the first time in 72 hours”.
The businesswoman’s brother had flown out to France to support her. Together, they were making arrangements to receive Mthethwa’s body and have it repatriated to South Africa.
Buthelezi – who was left a “suicide note” – added that her husband’s cellphone had been returned to her.
NO FOUL PLAY
According to French authorities, no foul play is suspected in Nathi Mthethwa’s death.
Police revealed that a pair of scissors was found inside Mthethwa’s hotel room on the 22nd floor, reportedly to pry open the sealed windows.
His wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi, told the media that the family was “not contesting” the preliminary investigation’s findings.
However, the former minister’s brother, Khulekani Mthetwa, has said otherwise.
He told The Star about allegations his sibling committed suicide: “We are not accepting this.
“My brother endured the worst the apartheid system could do to him. He was tortured. He never backed down. Why would a man like that choose to die now?”
Images via X
Khulekani also disputed rumours that his sibling feared being implicated in the
Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. He questioned why Mthethwa – a former minister of police – did not have his bodyguards with him.
“We need to understand why he had no protection. It is too convenient”, Khulekani added.
