South Africa's ambassador to France found dead outside Paris hotel
According to the Paris prosecutor's office, Mthethwa, 58, had checked into a room on the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where investigators found signs that the window had been forced open.
South Africa's ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, was found dead outside a high-rise hotel in Paris on Tuesday, prompting a formal investigation by French authorities into the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to the Paris prosecutor's office, Mthethwa, 58, had checked into a room on the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where investigators found signs that the window had been forced open.
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His wife had reported him missing a day earlier after receiving a troubling message from him.
French prosecutors confirmed that an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of death.
In Pretoria, the South African government expressed "deep sorrow" over what it called the "untimely passing" of the ambassador.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola said, "I have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss but is also felt within the international diplomatic community."
President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to Mthethwa, describing his death as "premature and traumatic."
"The untimely passing of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa is a moment of deep grief in which government and citizens stand beside the Mthethwa family," Ramaphosa said in a statement. "He has served our nation in diverse capacities during a lifetime that has ended prematurely and traumatically."
Appointed to Paris in February 2024, Mthethwa also served as South Africa's permanent delegate to UNESCO.
His tenure was credited with helping to deepen bilateral ties between South Africa and France. "In his last tenure of service, he has facilitated the deepening of relations between South Africa and the Republic of France, which has produced benefits for individuals and businesses in both countries and advanced our cooperation in the global arena," Ramaphosa said.
A veteran of public service and a former cabinet minister, Mthethwa had served as Minister of Arts and Culture between 2014 and 2019, and later as Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture until 2023.
His death, coming less than two years into his diplomatic posting, has sent shockwaves through South Africa's foreign service and cultural circles alike.
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