BREAKING NEWS: Family of Slain Nathi Mthethwa Rejects Suicide Claims, Believes He Was Killed
The family of Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa’s Ambassador to France, has vehemently disputed reports suggesting he took his own life after falling from a 22nd-floor hotel room in Paris on September 30, 2025. Instead, they’re calling for a thorough investigation into the “mysterious” circumstances surrounding his death.
Relatives, speaking from Mthethwa’s hometown of KwaMbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal, emphasized that the ambassador’s history of enduring torture under the apartheid regime makes it highly unlikely he would have taken his own life. Khulekani Mthethwa, a family spokesperson, questioned the whereabouts of the ambassador’s security detail during his disappearance and subsequent death, highlighting the need for a comprehensive inquiry.
The family has urged both French authorities and South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation to conduct a thorough investigation. French authorities are currently investigating the death as a suspected suicide, citing a tampered-with hotel room window and an apologetic message sent by Mthethwa to his wife the night before his death.
Mthethwa’s distinguished political career spanned multiple roles, including Minister of Police, Minister of Arts and Culture, and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture. He was appointed Ambassador to France in February 2024. His death has prompted tributes from colleagues and officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, who praised his contributions to strengthening South Africa-France relations.
As the investigation unfolds, the family’s call for transparency and clarity underscores the need for a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding Ambassador Mthethwa’s untimely death.
