ANC dignitaries welcome mortal remains of Nathi Mthethwa ahead of his funeral

WATCH: ANC dignitaries welcome mortal remains of Nathi Mthethwa ahead of his funeral

Mapaballo Borotho

The ANC hailed the late Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa as a gallant fighter with quiet wisdom.
His remains were received by ANC dignitaries and family in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mthethwa, who died in Paris at 58, will be laid to rest on Saturday.

The African National Congress has hailed the late South African Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, as a gallant fighter who possessed a quiet wisdom.

His remains landed at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday afternoon, as the government held a memorial service for the late ambassador in Pretoria.

At the memorial service, Mthethwa’s family said it only hit them a week after his death that they would never see Nathi again. A visibly emotional Sipho Mthethwa said it has been difficult for the family to come to terms with the way Nathi departed.

On Friday afternoon, his body was then welcomed by ANC dignitaries and his close family in KwaZulu-Natal, where Nathi will be laid to his final resting place.

The former minister’s widow, Philiswe Buthelezi, was visibly distressed and struggled to hold back her tears as Nathi’s body arrived.

Mthethwa died at the Hyatt Hotel in Paris at the age of 58. It is alleged that he fell to his death from the 22nd floor of the building, an allegation currently being investigated by SAPS and the French authorities.

He will be laid to rest on Saturday.