Family Friend Weighs In After Nathi Mthethwa’s Body Arrives at OR Tambo International Airport

• A family friend of the late Ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa's family expressed relief after his body was repatriated to South Africa
• Mthethwa was found dead at the Hyatt hotel in Paris, France, on 30 September 2025, after he was reported missing by his wife
• The family friend spoke to Briefly News and said that there is no real peace until the unanswered questions are answered

Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

OR TAMBO, GAUTENG — A family friend of the Mthethwa family opened up about the former Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa's body, which was repatriated on 10 October 2025. This was after he was found dead at the Hyatt Hotel in Paris on 30 September.

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Nathi Mthethwa: Former Ambassador’s remains released for repatriation from Paris to South Africa

According to SABC News, the plane carrying Mthethwa's body landed at the OR Tambo International Airport. Mthethwa will be given a special official funeral in his homestead in KwaMbonambi on 12 October. His body left France after his family travelled to the European country to begin the repatriation process.

Family friend speaks to Briefly News

Speaking to Briefly News, a family friend said that the family is grateful that his remains are finally in the country and he can rest at home.

"However, we are also still waiting to get answers on how he passed, so there is no real peace until then," she said.

What happened to Mthethwa?

Details surrounding the former Police Minister's death emerged shortly after he was found outside the Regency Hotel. His wife, Phiisiwe, reported him missing after he missed a cocktail party he was invited to. She also received a worrying text from him in which he said that he wanted to take his own life. French authorities reported that Mthethwa fell from the 22nd floor of the building.

What you need to know about Mthethwa's death

• Mthethwa's wife opened up about the days leading up to his death as more details emerged about the booking he made at the Hyatt Hotel
• A traditional healer saluted the family for fetching his spirit after he was found dead at the Hyatt Regency Hotel
• The South African Police Service deployed a team to France to assist with the investigation of Mthethwa's death
• French investigations revealed that Mthethwa's phone was not at the nearby park as initially reported by the French media
• Mthethwa's body was cleared for repatriation on 7 October after the French authorities completed their autopsy

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French authorities reveal that Mthethwa's phone was not at the nearby park as initially reported

Mthethwa's family responds to Mkhwanazi's claims

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Mthethwa's family responded to the allegations KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanzi made. Mkhwanazi testified at the Ad Hoc Committee in Parliament.

He said that the perimeter wall around Mthethwa's KwaMbonambi homestead in KwaZulu-Natal was built using money from the crime intelligence slush funds. His family denied the allegations.

Source: Briefly News