The South African Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa, was found dead outside a high-rise hotel in Paris on Tuesday, according to local authorities.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the death of the 58-year-old Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa near the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel.
The 58-year-old was reported missing by his wife on Monday after she received a worrying text message from him, according to prosecutors.
Mthethwa had booked a room on the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel, and the secure window had been forced open, the prosecutor’s office said.
While Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa was reported missing yesterday, his corpse was discovered earlier today at the Paris Hyatt Hotel.
According to the prosecutor’s office in Paris, the 58-year-old’s wife reported him missing after indicating that she “received a worrying message from him in the evening,” The Mirror reported. However, he was later found dead just above the Hayat Hotel. “He had booked a room on the 22nd floor, whose secure window was forced open.”
Police dispatched canine brigade canines to the Bois de Boulogne, a Parisian park and botanical garden where Mthethwa’s phone last rang, but the dogs failed to find him. The Paris Prosecutor’s office stated that the police, with the assistance of the dog squad, “had searched the woods in western Paris in fear of a potential suicide.”
Who was Nathi Mthethwa? A look at his career
Mthethwa served as South Africa’s permanent representative to UNESCO before being sent to the French Embassy in February 2024. Prior to serving as the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture from 2019 to 2023, he was the Minister of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa from May 2014 to 2019.
Mthethwa was a member of the African National Congress’s (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) from 2007 to 2022. The NEC is the party’s top executive body and highest decision-making body between conferences. He was a member of the governing party of South Africa’s National Working Committee (NWC) at the time, which is in charge of managing the party daily and submitting suggestions to the NEC.
The South African government issued a statement later on Tuesday mourning the “untimely passing” of Mthethwa in France.
Government statement
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.
Ambassador Mthethwa was a distinguished servant of the nation, whose career was marked by dedicated service in critical ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Police and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture. He also served on the Board of Directors for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee. His lifelong commitment to public duty was further exemplified by his longstanding contribution to the African National Congress through its highest decision-making structures.
In his diplomatic role, to which he was appointed in December 2023, Ambassador Mthethwa was tasked with strengthening the vital partnership and bilateral ties between South Africa and France.
“I have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss but is also felt within the international diplomatic community,” said Minister Lamola.
The circumstances of his untimely death are under investigation by the French authorities. The Government of South Africa extends its deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of Ambassador Mthethwa, and to his friends and colleagues during this period of immense grief. He is survived by his wife and children.
We honour his legacy of unwavering patriotism and service to our nation.
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