Nathi Mthethwa: A Look Inside the Hyatt Hotel Where He Was Found Dead

• The former Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, was found dead in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris, France
• This was after his wife reported him missing after he failed to show up to a cocktail party that he was supposed to attend
• The courtyard is still sealed by the police, and the South African Police Service is expected to visit the hotel to investigate

For seven years, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of Current Affairs, South Africa, covered a range of topics, including accidents, fires, outbreaks, nature, weather, and natural disaster-related incidents, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

PARIS, FRANCE — The French police, which reviewed the CCTV at the Hyatt Hotel where Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa was found dead, found that nobody followed Mthethwa to his room. A look at his room also showed that the bed remained untouched.

Mthethwa's death stunned South Africans as he fell from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Hotel. According to Newzroom Afrika, the hotel's courtyard remains sealed, and staff members are not permitted to access it. The bed in the room that Mthethwa booked was entirely untouched and showed no signs that anyone had sat or slept in it.

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Mthethwa reportedly forced the window open with a pair of scissors, which were found at the scene. The CCTV footage also showed that nobody followed Mthethwa to his room. Mthethwa also made the initial reservation on 15 September for the 27th and 29th.

What happened to Nathi Mthethwa?

Mthethwa, who was the former Minister of Police, was found dead at the Hyatt Regents Hotel on 30 September 2025. This was after his wife reported him missing. He was due to attend a cocktail party when he was last seen. Mthethwa jumped from the 22nd floor of the building.

What you need to know about Nathi Mthethwa's death

• Nathi Mthethwa's body is expected to be repatriated once the French authorities complete investigations into his death
• His wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi-Mthethwa, shared details about the frantic search for her husband when he went missing
• The former deputy president, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, conveyed her condolences to the Mthethwa family and shared fond memories with them
• More details emerged about how Mthethwa booked a room at the Hyatt Hotel, and how he changed his booking
• A sangoma applauded his family's decision to fetch his spirit in Paris, France, where he died

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Family friend weighs in after Nathi Mthethwa's body arrives at OR Tambo International Airport

What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on X shared their speculations and opinions.

MaZetty Margay alleged:

"But France said that foreign DNA was found on the pair of scissors."

Natasha Hukfield said:

"If it wasn't politically motivated, then this man suffered from depression."

Top10 Facts Global said:

"All this focus? We are distracted as a people. There's so much happening. Yet we eat Nathi all day. He was not a patriot."

Buthi Luh said:

"Depression is real."

SA reacts to police deployed to France

In a related article, Briefly News reported that South Africans reacted to the news that Police Minister Firoz Cachalia deployed a team of police officers to assist in investigating Mthethwa's death.

The police officers who were deployed will be spending five days in France.

"Waste of state resources. So, in the delegation, is there an interpreter for them?" A netizen sarcastically asked.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News