South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, has been found dead in Paris, French officials confirmed on Tuesday. The 58-year-old diplomat was discovered near the four-star Hyatt Regency Hotel in the French capital under circumstances that remain unclear.
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, Mthethwa had been reported missing by his wife on Monday evening after she received what was described as a “worrying message” from him. Investigators later revealed that he had booked a room on the 22nd floor of the high-rise hotel, where a security window was found forced open.
The prosecutor’s office confirmed that a judicial inquiry has been launched, with a duty magistrate dispatched to the scene. While the cause of his death has not yet been officially determined, French authorities are treating the case with urgency given Mthethwa’s high diplomatic status.
Mthethwa, a long-serving member of the African National Congress (ANC), was a central figure in South African politics for over two decades. He served as police minister and later as arts and culture minister, before being appointed ambassador to Paris in December 2023.
His political career was closely tied to former President Jacob Zuma, with whom he was considered an ally. Mthethwa’s name also appeared in the state capture inquiry, which examined allegations of widespread corruption during Zuma’s presidency.
Despite his controversies, he was remembered on Tuesday as a committed statesman. South Africa’s Foreign Minister, Ronald Lamola, issued a statement describing Mthethwa as a “distinguished servant of the nation.”
“I have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss but is also felt within the international diplomatic community,” Lamola said. He added that South Africa was in close contact with French authorities as investigations continued.
The death has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s diplomatic and political circles. Tributes poured in from colleagues and ANC members, many of whom recalled his long service to the party since its transition to democratic rule in 1994 under Nelson Mandela.
Mthethwa’s appointment to France had been seen as part of Pretoria’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations with Paris, particularly in areas of trade, culture, and security cooperation. His sudden death now raises questions both at home and abroad.
As investigators in Paris piece together the final hours of his life, South Africans await clarity on the circumstances that led to the ambassador’s passing. For now, officials stress that all possibilities remain open as forensic experts and prosecutors work to establish what happened.
The South African government has promised to provide updates as more information becomes available, while arrangements are being made to repatriate Mthethwa’s remains.
His death marks a somber moment for the ANC and South Africa’s diplomatic mission in France, leaving a legacy both of political achievement and lingering controversy.