South African Ambassador Plunges to His Death at Paris Hotel
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Nkosinathi-Emmanuel-Mthethwa-South-Africa-Ambassador-France-093025-05-59b8c840ac3d4945be3fc3893cf070d5.jpg)
The South African Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa, tragically passed away after falling 22 floors from a hotel in Paris. His body was found at the Hyatt Hotel near the Porte Maillot metro station in western Paris on Tuesday, Sep. 30. Reports indicate that it was an apparent suicide, as confirmed by the Paris prosecutor’s office. Mthethwa, aged 58, was reported missing by his wife the day before, following a concerning message she received from him in the evening.
Mthethwa’s phone had its last activity at 3:00 p.m. local time on Monday near the Bois de Boulogne public park in Paris. This prompted a search operation by the police and K-9 units in the area and the woods in western Paris. The South African authorities are aware of the unfortunate reports regarding Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa and are expected to provide further details in due course.
The Paris judicial police’s Brigade for the Suppression of Crimes Against Persons (BRDP) is currently investigating the incident, with a duty magistrate en route to the scene for further inquiries. The Hyatt Hotel, South Africa’s foreign affairs department, and the prosecutor’s office have been approached for additional comments on the matter.
Mthethwa’s most recent public appearance was at the 109th Anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood in Longueval on Sept. 27. He had joined the French Embassy in February 2024 and had an illustrious career, starting as the organizing secretary of the ANC Youth League in 1994. He later served in the South African National Assembly and held ministerial positions in safety and security, as well as arts and culture.
The sudden and tragic death of Ambassador Mthethwa has shocked the diplomatic community and the public alike. His contributions to South Africa and his diplomatic service will be remembered. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.