Nathi Mthethwa Death Probe: Cachalia Reveals No Final Outcome From French Authorities Yet
- Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia revealed that French authorities have not yet communicated a final outcome in the Nathi Mthethwa investigation
- Cachalia clarified that no SAPS investigators were deployed to France, despite earlier indications that investigators would be sent
- Two SAPS members did travel to France on a fact-finding mission with both countries agreeing to pursue a Mutual Legal Assistance process
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SOUTH AFRICA — Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has disclosed that France has yet to communicate a final outcome in its investigation into the death of the late South African Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, nearly ten months after his death in Paris.
Cachlia updates Parliament on Mthethwa's death
Cachalia made the disclosure in response to a parliamentary question from ActionSA MP Dereleen James, who sought clarity on whether South African authorities had received an official finding and whether the South African Police Service had deployed investigators to assist with the probe.
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"At this stage, no final outcome has been communicated in respect of the investigation," Cachalia said.
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Mthethwa's death in Paris
Mthethwa, 58, was found dead on 30 September 2025 after falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris. French authorities assumed jurisdiction over the investigation given that his death occurred on French soil.
Cachalia confirmed that, despite earlier indications that SAPS would send investigators to France, no such deployment took place.
"The South African Police Service did not deploy any investigators to the French Republic in relation to this matter," he said.
Instead, two SAPS members were authorised to travel to France on a fact-finding mission, with the specific purpose of facilitating engagement with French law enforcement.
"Two SAPS members were authorised to travel to the French Republic on a fact-finding mission and to facilitate cooperation and engagement with the relevant French authorities regarding the investigation," Cachalia said.
The costs for the mission were drawn from the Interpol budget. The memorandum and its addendum had estimated expenses of R164,812.17, though the actual cost of the two members' travel came to R124,227.71.
Mutual legal assistance process under way
The engagement between South African and French officials produced an agreement to formalise cooperation through a Mutual Legal Assistance process, to be coordinated by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
"The engagement between the South African and French authorities resulted in agreement that a process of Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) should be pursued through the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development," Cachalia said.
Despite these diplomatic steps, French investigators have not yet concluded or shared a final determination on the circumstances surrounding Mthethwa's death.
ANC mourns Nathi mthethwa's death
Briefly News reported that the African National Congress mourned the death of former ambassador Nathi Mthethwa. In a statement issued on behalf of the party, national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said that the ANC was deeply saddened by the news, as she extended heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and comrades of the former minister. Bhengu said that Mthethwa’s presence would be sorely missed in the party’s ranks, but that his legacy would endure in the policies he advanced, the institutions he helped build, and the values he upheld.
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Source: Briefly News
