The family of Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa’s ambassador to France, is navigating a sea of grief and uncertainty following his tragic death after a fall from a hotel. As they mourn the loss of a husband, father, and brother, they are also voicing their concerns about the circumstances surrounding his passing.
In a heartfelt statement, the Mthethwa and Buthelezi families expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received from South Africans and individuals globally during this harrowing time. “The loss of Mthethwa leaves a void beyond words,” the family said, while also recognising the support from President Cyril Ramaphosa, senior government officials, and the African National Congress (ANC).
Mthethwa, who was found dead under tragic circumstances at the Hyatt Hotel in Paris, reportedly fell from the 22nd floor after having reserved a room there. French prosecutor Laure Beccuau has indicated that initial investigations suggest he expressed suicidal intentions, having sent an alarming message to his wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi, on the evening of his death. “He apologised to her and expressed his intention to end his life,” she stated.
However, the Mthethwa family is adamant in rejecting the suicide narrative, citing unresolved mysteries surrounding his death. They claim that their beloved family member, who had withstood torture during apartheid, would not resort to taking his own life in light of the allegations against him. “My brother would not have feared appearing in front of the Madlanga Commission,” said Khulekani Mthethwa, a relative speaking at the family’s residence in KwaMbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal to the Agence France-Presse (AFP). His call for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Mthethwa’s death underscores a deep-seated concern over his security arrangement at the time.
As the investigation unfolds, Mthethwa’s family demands answers regarding the presence and actions of his security detail during the period leading up to his unfortunate demise. “He endured brutality at the hands of apartheid police, and there is no way he would take his life to avoid accountability,” Khulekani asserted.
Mthethwa’s demise comes amid scrutiny linked to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where allegations implicating him in political interference regarding police conduct have raised eyebrows. Although it has not yet been confirmed whether Mthethwa was set to testify, it was reported that he might have been mentioned adversely by KwaZulu-Natal’s Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, regarding an alleged attempt to obstruct prosecution into police corruption involving the former head of Crime Intelligence.
Remembered as a dedicated freedom fighter and public servant, the ANC has praised Mthethwa’s legacy, saying, “Comrade Mthethwa was not merely a public official; he was a committed cadre of the liberation struggle.” The loss of this veteran political figure is felt deeply across both South Africa and France, where he served as ambassador since December 2023, following a cabinet reshuffle that saw him replaced as Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture.
The Mthethwa family is coordinating with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to facilitate his return home for a memorial and funeral that honour his legacy as a revered public servant.
*additional reporting by AFP