Nathi Mthethwa: South African Police Deployed to France to Assist Investigate Ambassador’s Death

Nathi Mthethwa: South African Police Deployed to France to Assist Investigate Ambassador’s Death

  • A team from the South African Police Service will be deployed to France following Nkosinathi “Nathi” Mthethwa's death
  • The team, which will be led by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection in the Western Cape, will spend a week in France
  • The South African Ambassador to France was found dead on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, a day after he was reported missing by his wife
A team from South Africa is heading to France to investigate Nathi Mthethwa's death
A team from the South African Police Service will be deployed to France to assist investigate Nathi Mthethwa's death. Image: STRINGER/AFP
Source: Getty Images

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.

GAUTENG – A team of seasoned police officers from South Africa will be deployed to France to help investigate the death of Nkosinathi “Nathi” Mthethwa.

The South African Ambassador to France was found dead on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, a day after he was reported missing by his wife. His body was found in the inner courtyard of the Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile Hotel, with authorities speculating that he fell from the 22nd floor.

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With investigations already underway into his murder, and a post-mortem expected soon, a team of five members from South Africa will jet off to France on Saturday, 4 October 2025, to assist French authorities.

South African officers to assist with the investigation

National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, notified Minister of Police, Professor Firoz Cachalia, that a decision had been taken to deploy a team to France. The team will be led by Major General Maqhashalala, the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection in the Western Cape.

It will also consist of a Forensic Science expert, a Crime Scene expert, a member of the Hawks and a member from Interpol. The team will spend a week in France, working alongside the police there, and will provide a comprehensive report once they return to South Africa.

The team will work closely with French law enforcement authorities to ensure that the circumstances surrounding Ambassador Mthethwa’s death are thoroughly and transparently investigated. A lot of speculation still surrounds Mthethwa's death, with French authorities believing that he committed suicide.

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National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Fannie Masemola
General Fannie Masemola confirmed to the minister that a team will be sent to France. Image: Alet Pretorius
Source: Getty Images

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

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 Mthethwa was in.

She also shared information about the last message Mthethwa sent to his wife, which left her worried.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Byron Pillay avatar

Byron Pillay (Current Affairs Editor) Byron Pillay is a Current Affairs Editor at Briefly News. He received a Diploma in Journalism from the Caxton Cadet School. He spent 15 years covering politics, crime and current affairs. He was also the Head of Department for Sports Brief, where he covered both local and international sporting news. Email: byron.pillay@briefly.co.za