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
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.
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.
Source: Getty Images
What you need to know about the situation surrounding Mthethwa’s death
- The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed Mthethwa’s passing.
- Mthethwa’s family in South Africa shared how they found out about his tragic passing in Paris.
- 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.
- Mthethwa’s wife shared details about the final message she received from her husband that sparked the search for him.
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
