The South African envoy to France was tragically discovered lifeless beneath a towering hotel in Paris.
Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, the ambassador, had been reported missing by his spouse following a distressing text message he sent, according to Le Parisien.
His remains were found on Monday at the base of the Hyatt Hotel located in the Porte Maillot area, shortly after his wife alerted authorities about his disappearance.
French news outlets reported that the former cabinet minister is believed to have fallen from approximately the 22nd floor of the building.
Concerns escalated when Mthethwa’s wife received a disturbing message from him, and his phone was last detected near the Bois de Boulogne, a park on Paris’s western outskirts.
Later that day, police discovered his body at the upscale hotel, where investigators noted a window had been opened just before the incident.
While Parisian police have refrained from making official statements, sources cited by French media suggest suicide as the probable cause of death.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation acknowledged the situation and promised to release an official statement soon.
At 57 years old, Mthethwa was a seasoned member of the African National Congress, having served in key cabinet roles such as Minister of Police and Minister of Arts and Culture before his 2024 appointment as ambassador to France and permanent representative to UNESCO.
His unexpected passing has deeply affected South Africa’s political circles, prompting an outpouring of condolences for a figure regarded as a steadfast party loyalist despite past controversies during his tenure in government.
French authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding his death.