South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, has been found dead in a suspected suicide, French authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
He was 58.
The diplomat and former Cabinet minister is believed to have jumped from the 22nd floor of a hotel at Porte Maillot in Paris, according to respected French publication Le Parisien.
Frantic search
His body was discovered outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the 17th arrondissement, following a frantic search after he was reported missing by his wife on Monday.
She raised the alarm after receiving a “disturbing message” from Mthethwa the previous evening.
The Paris Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the discovery, stating that an investigation has been launched, led by the Brigade for the Suppression of Crimes Against Persons (BRDP) of the Paris judicial police. A magistrate has also been dispatched to the scene.
Authorities had initially tracked Mthethwa’s mobile phone to the Bois de Boulogne in western Paris around 15:00 on Monday, prompting a search involving canine units, amid concerns that he may have taken his own life.
A Prominent Political Career
Appointed ambassador to France and permanent delegate to UNESCO in February 2024, Mthethwa was a veteran of South African politics and a key figure in the post-apartheid government.
He began his political career in the anti-apartheid trade union movement, rising to prominence as organising secretary of the ANC Youth League in 1994.
He went on to become an MP in 2002, later chairing the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy.
His executive roles included:
- Minister of Safety and Security under President Kgalema Motlanthe (2008)
- Minister of Police in President Jacob Zuma’s administration (2009-2014)
- Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture (2014-2019)
Mthethwa remained a central figure in the African National Congress (ANC) for over two decades, often seen as a key ally of former president Jacob Zuma and later serving in various party structures.
Silence from Embassy, Reaction Pending
At the time of publishing, the South African Embassy in Paris remained unreachable for comment.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in Pretoria did issue a formal statement.
Mthethwa’s sudden death is expected to send shockwaves through the political and diplomatic community, both in South Africa and abroad.
Mental Health and Diplomacy
The incident has renewed concerns about the mental health pressures faced by diplomats and public servants, particularly those navigating high-stakes roles in foreign nations.
Support services are expected to be made available to embassy staff, and French authorities have committed to a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Further details will be released as the investigation unfolds.
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