Nathi Mthethwa, ANC member and South Africa’s Ambassador to France, reportedly sent a “worrying message” to his wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi, on Monday night.
Buthelezi subsequently reported him missing. According to Le Parisien, Mthethwa’s phone last rang around 15:00 on Monday. His body was discovered on Tuesday “right above the Hyatt Hotel” at Porte Maillot in the 17th arrondissement, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed.
An investigation has been opened and a duty magistrate “is going to the scene,” the prosecutor’s office added.
According to EWN the Department of International Relations is aware of the reports and will issue a statement in due course.
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Mthethwa’s death comes amid his recent implication in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. During testimony, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that, while serving as police minister, Mthethwa attempted to influence former Inspector-General of Intelligence Faith Radebe to drop charges against Richard Mdluli, the former head of police crime intelligence.
Mthethwa served as South Africa’s Minister of Arts and Culture from 2014 to 2019 and as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture from 2019 to 2023. He was a Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2023 and held key leadership roles within the African National Congress (ANC), serving on its National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC) between 2007 and 2022, according to the Department of International Relations and Cooperations website.
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