South African Ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa’s wife received ‘worrying message’ before he fell from Hyatt Hotel

The wife of the South African ambassador for France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, was said to receive a ‘worrying message’ before hewas found dead after a fall from Hyatt Hotel

South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, has reportedly been found dead just 24 hours after going missing. The diplomat had been reported missing last night, but the prosecutor’s office confirmed that he has been found.

Now, as details emerge about the incident, it was claimed that his wife received a “worrying message” before he fell from Hyatt Hotel. Local officials confirmed the horrific news to Le Parisien, who also claimed that his wife received a “worrying message from him in the evening”, but has not made public what the message was.

Reports say that he had fell from the 22nd floor of the four-star hotel at the age of 58.

According to initial evidence released by the Paris Proesecutor’s office: “His phone last rang around 3pm on Monday near the Bois de Boulogne in Paris (16th arrondissement). Fearing a possible suicide, the police, supported by the dog squad, had searched the woods in western Paris.”

South Africa’s Parisian embassy’s website states that Mthethwa was appointed to the role in February 29024, having previously served as the Minister of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa from May 2014 to 2019. Before, from 2019 to 2023, he was the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Between 2007 and 2022 he served as a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC), the party’s chief executive organ and highest decision-making body between conferences.

During the same period, he was a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of South Africa’s governing party. The NWC is responsible for the day-to-day running of the party and makes recommendations to the NEC.

Police have yet to confirm the circumstances of his death, but Paris prosecutor’s office added: “He had booked a room on the 22nd floor, whose secure window was forced open”.

Le Parisien reported that the ambassador had been reported missing by his wife after she received a text message from him that worried her.

The report further cited initial evidence that the 58-year-old’s phone was last used at around 3 PM on Monday near the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. He made a public appearance at the 109th Anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood marked in Longueval, Department de la Somme, on Saturday.

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