Bheki Cele slams public for mocking late ambassador Nathi Mthethwa

Mapaballo Borotho

Bheki Cele has condemned South Africans for mocking the death of late Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa.
He compared the public’s reaction to the sinful ways of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Mthethwa’s body has since returned home and will be received by his family in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday afternoon.

Former Police Minister Bheki Cele has called on South Africans to refrain from rejoicing over the death of the late South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa.

Mthethwa, whose name has been implicated at the Madlanga Commission, died just over a week ago due to suspected suicide. It is alleged that he fell from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Hotel in Paris.

French authorities and the South African Police Service (SAPS) are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Instead of mourning, many South Africans have been rejoicing over his death, while others have speculated that he might still be alive and running away from his sins.

Politicians like Nathi Mthethwa publicly show us that they don’t care about us and you guys don’t want us to hit brickfalls when they kick the bucket. Nna ke letsa vuvuzela when these reprehensible politicians get a “come thru” text from God

— Lesilo Rula (@kay_mahapa) May 18, 2022

Bheki Cele likened this behavior to that of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasising that no matter how much one dislikes a person, it is wrong to rejoice when they have passed.

He was speaking at the late Mthethwa’s memorial service in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.

Mthethwa’s body arrives in SA

Meanwhile, the Mthethwa family is set to receive the mortal remains of their son at King Shaka International Airport on Friday afternoon.

This comes after his body officially arrived on home soil, with the flight carrying his remains landing at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday morning.

A second memorial service held by the state is underway in Pretoria.

Some of the guests attending the memorial service of #NathiMthethwa include ANC’s Nomvula Mokonyane, Dr Malusi Gigaba, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and Dirco Minister Ronald Lamola. #KayaNews TT https://t.co/vqlanAeIt1 pic.twitter.com/0eK9LJXWNy

— Kaya News (@KayaNews) October 10, 2025