Nathi Mthethwa’s death under investigation as possible suicide

Bulelwa Hoala

South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa’s death in a Paris hotel is being investigated as a possible suicide.
Prosecutor says a hotel window was forced open with scissors and no signs of struggle or drug involvement reported.
President Cyril Ramaphosa pays tribute, praising Mthethwa’s service in government and diplomacy.

The untimely death of Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa’s ambassador to France, at a Paris hotel on Tuesday, 30 October 2025, is being investigated as a possible suicide, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.

This comes after the 58-year-old former Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture’s body was found by a security guard in the courtyard of the luxury Hyatt hotel, where he had booked a room on the 22^nd floor.

AFP reports that Beccuau said the window, which has a safety mechanism, was forced open using a pair of scissors found at the scene.

However, according to investigators, there were no signs of a struggle or traces of medication or illegal drugs.

Beccuau said Mthethwa’s wife reported him missing on Monday night after she received a message from him “in which he apologized and expressed his intention to take his own life.”

“Initial investigations suggest that this could have been a deliberate act, without the intervention of a third party,” Beccuau added.

Cyril Ramaphosa pays tribute to Nathi Mthethwa

Mthethwa was appointed to his diplomatic role in December 2023, and was tasked with strengthening the bilateral relationship between South Africa and France.

He also served as Police Minister and was a member of the Board of Directors for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee.

In a statement, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said Mthethwa served South Africa in diverse capacities during a lifetime that has ended prematurely and traumatically.

“In his last tenure of service he has facilitated the deepening of relations between South and the Republic of France, which has produced benefits for individuals and businesses in both countries and advanced our cooperation in the global arena.

“May his soul rest in peace.”