Nathi Mthethwa: A Look at the Late Former Minister’s Political Career
- Former Minister of Police and Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa was found dead at a hotel in Paris, France
- Mthethwa, known by close associates as Bab'Nyambose, was appointed as the country's ambassador to France when he died
- Briefly News takes a look at his political career spanning almost two decades and two different presidencies
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Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of Current Affairs, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, cabinet reshuffles, the State of the Nation Address, parliamentary proceedings, and politician-related news, as well as elections, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.
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JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — The former Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, who was found dead at a hotel in Paris, had an illustrious career as a politician and member of the executive. Briefly News takes a look at his career leading up to his death on 29 September 2025.
Mthethwa was launched into the political landscape when he became a member of the Klaarwater Youth Organisation at the age of 15 in KwaZulu-Natal between 1982 and 1983. He was elected as the organisation's chairperson and served from 1987 to 1989.
Mthethwa's rise to politics
Mthethwa was also a shop steward of the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU). His work with the union attracted the attention of the African National Congress (ANC), which recruited him in its underground work between 1988 and 1989. Mthethwa was incarcerated during the 1989 State of Emergency. However, his rise did not stop there.
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He served s the chairperson of the Southern Natal Unemployed Workers Union. In 1990 was elected as the Regional Secretary of the ANC Youth League in Southern Natal. He served as a member of the Youth League's National Executive Committee and ascended to the position of its National Working Committee's secretary for organisation from 1994 to 2001.
Mthethwa in Parliament
Mthethwa began his career as a Parliamentarian when he was elected the Chairperson for the Ministers and Energy Portfolio from 2004 to 2008. He was also the party's chief whip in 2009. Mthethwa became the Minister of Safety and Security in 2008 until 2009, when the ministry was changed to the Ministry of Police. He then served as the Police Minister from 2009 to 2014.
Mthethwa served as the Minister of Arts and Culture from 2014 to 2019. He became the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture from 2019 to 2023. Mthethwa was appointed the Ambassador to France in 2024 after the 2024 general elections.
Close friend speaks to Briefly News
Briefly News spoke to a close friend of the Mthethwa family, who fondly remembered Bab'Nyambose.
"He was a traditional man. Strict. He didn’t touch a drop of alcohol. But he also had a good sense of humour. He loved reading a lot and would always recommend a book to me — all written by Black writers. He was very pro-Africa," the close friend said.
What happened to Mthethwa?
Mthethwa was found dead at the Hyatt Hotel in Paris, France. His wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi-Mthethwa, alerted the French police after he did not show up at a cocktail party he was invited to.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperations confirmed his death. The minister, Ronald Lamola, conveyed his condolences.
Police Minister sends cops to France
In a related article, Briefly News reported that the Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, deployed a team of seasoned police officers to assist French authorities in investigating Mthethwa's death.
The team will be led by the deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection in the Western Cape.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
