Nathi Mthethwa’s Wife Shares Details About Frantic Search for Her Husband Before His Tragic Passing

• Philisiwe Buthelezi has shared more details about the desperate search for her husband before his tragic death
• Nkosinathi "Nathi" Mthethwa was found dead in the inner courtyard of the Hyatt Regency Etoile Hotel
• The South African Ambassador to France was reported missing by his wife on Monday, 30 September 2025

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

PARIS, FRANCE - Philisiwe Buthelezi has broken her silence following the death of her husband, Nkosinathi "Nathi" Mthethwa.

The South African Ambassador to France was found dead on Tuesday, 30 September 2025. His body was discovered in the inner courtyard of the Hyatt Regency Etoile Hotel, with authorities speculating that he fell from a window of his room on the 22nd floor of the hotel.

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His wife reported him missing on 29 September 2025 after receiving a worrying message from him.

Philisiwe shares details about the search for Mthethwa

As investigations into Mthethwa’s death continue, Philisiwe has since spoken to the media about what prompted the search for her late husband.

Mthethwa last saw his wife on 29 September 2025, before leaving their residence to attend a cocktail party. He never made it to the party. Later on in the day, he sent a message to his wife, apologising and indicating that he wanted to take his own life.

Worried by the contents of the message, she reported to a police station, and a search was launched for the ambassador.

Police searched the Ambassador’s residence for Mthethwa

Newzroom Afrika's international correspondent, Simon Marks, revealed that the police then took Philisiwe back to the ambassador’s residence, believing he could still be there.

Police searched the ambassador’s residence for Mthethwa. Thereafter, a search was launched for him, which included searches of wooded areas near the Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement, where his phone last made contact. Given the nature of the message, police believed that he had likely taken his own life and were searching the area for any sign of him. His body was eventually found the following day at the hotel in Paris, which is not far from the Bois de Boulogne.

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What you need to know about the situation surrounding Mthethwa’s death

• The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed Mthethwa’s passing.
• President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed sadness and shock at the death of Mthethwa.
• Mthethwa’s family in South Africa shared how they found out about his tragic passing.
• Mthethwa’s name was recently mentioned in Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's testimony at the Madlanga Commission.
• French authorities were combing through CCTV footage from the hotel where Mthethwa’s body was found.

Mystery surrounds the late Ambassador’s death

Briefly News reported that French authorities provided more details about their investigations.

Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed what authorities found in the hotel room that Nhlanhla Mthethwa was in.

Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News