French Authorities Reveal That Mthethwa’s Phone Was Not at the Nearby Park As Initially Reported
- The authorities in France have confirmed that the former Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa's phone was not found at a nearby park
- The police initially reported that his phone was found in the region of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, but the latest information contradicts the earlier reports
- The authorities said the French media reports were incorrect and provided information about his last movement
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.
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PARIS, FRANCE — French authorities confirmed that the phone of the late Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa was not at a nearby park as initially reported by French media. Mthethwa was found dead at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris on 30 September 2025.
According to Newzroom Afrika, the French prosecuting authority revealed that Mthethwa's phone was not found in the Bois de Boulogne Park. Mthethwa's last movements were reportedly between his official residence and the hotel, where he was found. The authorities also slammed the French media's initial reports.
Mthethwa fell from the 22nd floor of the hotel after he went missing. His wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi-Mthethwa, alerted the authorities after she received a worrying message from him. She also said that Mthethwa was supposed to attend a cocktail party he was invited to.
What happened to Mthethwa?
Mthethwa reportedly went missing between 29 and 30 September 2025. He was supposed to attend a cocktail party with his wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi-Mthethwa. However, she received a worrying text message from him.
In it, he reportedly expressed his intention to take his own life. His wife reported him missing to the French authorities, and they mobilised resources to find him. He was later found dead at the hotel after falling from the 22nd floor of the building.
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What you need to know about Nathi Mthethwa
- The Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed that Mthethwa had died, and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, conveyed his condolences
- His party, the African National Congress, conveyed its condolences to Mthethwa's family and praised his service to the party and South Africans
- His family said that his body would be repatriated after the French Authorities complete their investigation into his death
- The Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, deployed a team of seasoned South African Police Service members to assist the French authorities in investigating Mthethwa's death
- The former deputy president, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, conveyed her condolences to his family and shared fond memories of him
Mthethwa's family is expecting to bury him soon
In a related article, Briefly News reported that Mthethwa's family said that they could bury him on 12 October. His family is currently in Paris to repatriate his body.
The family said that it is waiting for the autopsy report to be finalised. It also expressed confidence in the police's deployment to France in helping provide answers about his death.
Source: Briefly News
