South African Ambassador too France Found Dead in Paris
Paris, France – Nkosinati Emmanuela mthethwa, South Africa’s Ambassador to France, was found dead beneath the windows of the Hyatt hotel near the arc de Triomphe, French authorities confirmed today. The 58-year-old diplomat had been reported missing since Monday, prompting a search that culminated in the discovery of his body.
The death of Ambassador Mthethwa, who also served as South Africa’s permanent delegate to UNESCO, represents a meaningful loss for South African diplomacy and raises questions about the circumstances surrounding his death. A formal examination has been launched by the Paris Court Police’s Crimes Brigade to determine the cause and manner of death. His wife reported his disappearance and shared a disturbing interaction received from him the night before.
According to preliminary reports, Mthethwa apparently fell from the 22nd floor of the hotel. His phone was located on Monday afternoon around 3:00 PM in the Boulogne Forest area, leading police to initially suspect a potential suicide and conduct a search of the park with canine units.
Mthethwa was appointed as Ambassador to France in February 2024. Prior to this role, he held several ministerial positions over the past two decades within the governments of Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released by the Paris Prosecutor’s Office.
