South African Government Refuses to Speculate on Nathi Mthethwa’s Death, Urges Public to Do the Same
- The South African government has weighed in on the numerous reports about Nkosinathi "Nathi" Mthethwa's death
- Speculation has been spreading online after the South African Ambassador to France was found dead on 30 September 2025
- The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed that the post-mortem will be done soon
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.
The South African government is refusing to speculate on the circumstances surrounding Nkosinathi ‘Nathi’ Mthethwa’s death.
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.
Mthethwa had booked a room on the 22nd floor of the hotel 10 days before checking in. The window of his hotel room had been forced open, and authorities suspect that he jumped out of it.
Deputy Minister discusses Mthethwa’s death
With French authorities believing that Mthethwa committed suicide, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Alvin Botes, was asked whether the South African government believed this as well. Botes said that the only narrative the government subscribed to was that of the finer sons of Africa having passed on. He made the comments at Kwambonambi on Friday, 03 October 2025, where government officials visited the Mthethwa family.
He added that they were awaiting the official post-mortem results from French authorities, which are expected to be released on Sunday, 5 October 2025. Botes also urged the public to refrain from speculation until the official findings were released.
He also touched on some of the other rumours doing the rounds.
Why do authorities believe Mthethwa committed suicide?
French authorities initially believed that the Ambassador had taken his own life after he sent his wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi, a worrying text message.
In the message, Mthethwa reportedly apologised and indicated that he wanted to take his own life. Police then searched the Bois de Boulogne, a large park located kilometres away from the hotel where he was eventually found. The Bois de Boulogne was where his phone was last active.
Authorities also said they found no signs of a struggle or forced entry in his hotel room. His wife also said that the family was “not contesting” the preliminary findings, which indicated that he ended his own life.
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.
- 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 shares details about the final message she received from her husband.
- A team of seasoned officers from South Africa are to be deployed to France to assist with investigations.
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.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
