Former South African Police Minister and current Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, has died after falling from the 22nd floor of a hotel in Paris on Tuesday, 30 September 2025. His sudden and tragic passing has shocked both South African and international communities, sparking questions about the circumstances leading up to his death.
French police confirmed that the 57-year-old diplomat was found outside the Hyatt Hotel in the Porte Maillot district, located in the western part of the French capital. Investigators say the incident occurred late on Tuesday evening and that preliminary findings show his hotel room window had been forced open. For now, officials have not established whether the fall was accidental, intentional, or connected to foul play. “The investigation is ongoing. At this stage, no conclusions can be made,” a police spokesperson told Reuters.
Local reports in France and South Africa provide a glimpse into the final hours before Mthethwa’s death. Le Parisien, a leading French daily, reported that his wife had alerted authorities after receiving what she described as a troubling message from him earlier that evening. “The disappearance of Mthethwa was reported by his wife, who indicated having received a worrying message,” the paper noted.
According to The Sun, his mobile phone was last traced near the Bois de Boulogne, a large park in Paris, on the night of Monday, 29 September. By the following day, his body was discovered in the grounds of the Hyatt Hotel, where he was staying. Kaya News, a South African broadcaster, confirmed that French police had officially recorded his death and were treating the matter with the utmost seriousness.
Former South African Police Minister and Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa Dies in Paris Hotel Fall
Nathi Mthethwa was a prominent figure in South African politics for over two decades, serving in senior government roles before taking up a diplomatic post abroad. A member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), he was best known for his tenure as Minister of Police between 2009 and 2014, a period marked by efforts to reform the police service amid widespread concerns about crime and security in the country. His time in the position, however, was also controversial, as critics accused the police under his watch of heavy-handed tactics and failing to address deep-rooted issues in law enforcement.
After leaving the police portfolio, Nathi Mthethwa was appointed Minister of Arts and Culture, a role he held from 2014 to 2019. During this period, he oversaw cultural preservation programmes, initiatives to support artists, and events aimed at strengthening South Africa’s creative industries. His leadership style often drew mixed reviews, but his influence within the ANC remained significant.
In 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Nathi Mthethwa as South Africa’s Ambassador to France. His posting was seen as recognition of his long service in government and within the ANC. By the time of his death, he had been representing Pretoria in Paris for just over a year. Colleagues in the diplomatic service described him as dedicated to strengthening South Africa’s ties with France and the wider European Union.
News of his death has prompted shock across South Africa. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) issued a cautious statement soon after reports emerged. “We are aware of unfortunate reports pertaining to Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa. Further details will be communicated after official confirmation,” DIRCO said. The ANC and government leaders are expected to release official tributes in the coming days.
Tributes from across the political spectrum are already beginning to emerge, with many recalling his long career in public service. Analysts suggest that Nathi Mthethwa’s passing will not only leave a diplomatic gap but will also reignite discussions about the personal pressures faced by politicians and diplomats working abroad.
For now, French investigators are pursuing several lines of inquiry. The unusual circumstances—an open hotel window, a message to his wife, and his last-known movements near the Bois de Boulogne—have left authorities cautious about ruling out any possibility. Police sources quoted in European media said both personal and external factors were being considered as part of the probe.
In South Africa, his death is expected to dominate political discourse in the coming weeks. As a senior ANC figure with a long history in government, Nathi Mthethwa had allies and detractors alike. For many, however, his legacy will be defined by his years in cabinet and his later efforts to represent his country abroad.
The tragic fall of Nathi Mthethwa has left more questions than answers. Whether it was the result of an accident, a deliberate act, or something more sinister, the coming investigation will be watched closely by both South Africans and the international community. What remains certain is that the sudden loss of a seasoned politician and diplomat has cast a shadow over South African politics and diplomacy at a delicate time in the nation’s history.
Source- iHarare
