Former Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa dead, government confirms

Former Police Minister and South African ambassador to France, Nkosinathi “Nathi” Mthethwa, has been found dead after he was reported missing on Monday.

French media reports intially brought the matter to the public’s attention and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has since confirmed his passing.

Media outlet LeParisien reported on Tuesday that Mthethwa’s body was found outside the Hyatt Regency Paris hotel in Porte Maillot in Paris’s 14th municipal district after his wife reported him missing.

The report said that Mthethwa is believed to have jumped from the 22nd floor of the building. However, police have yet to confirm the exact circumstances.

DIRCO added that French authorities have launched an investigation into the matter.

Mthethwa had been serving as the ambassador to France since February 2024 and was also South Africa’s permanent delegate to UNESCO.

“I have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss but is also felt within the international diplomatic community,” South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola said.

An ANC member, he served as the Minister of Arts and Culture from 2014 to 2019 and Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture from 2019 to 2023. He was the Minister of Police from 2009 to 2014.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that Mthethwa “has served our nation in diverse capacities during a lifetime that has ended prematurely and traumatically.”

“In his last tenure of service he has facilitated the deepening of relations between South and the Republic of France. May his soul rest in peace.”

Mthethwa was recently implicated at the Madlanga commission in alleged political interference.

His death follows Mthethwa being accused by Lieutenant General Nhlanlha Mkhwanazi of forcing the former Inspector General of Intelligence, Faith Radebe to withdraw a criminal case against former head of Crime Intelligence Richard Mduli.

Mkhwanazi was the first witness to appear before the Madlanga Commission, tasked with investigating the alleged capture of South Africa’s policing and criminal justice systems by criminal syndicates.

Mthethwa was also accused of several other wrongdoings during his time as Minister of Police.

Crime Intelligence Officer Colonel Dhanajaya Naidoo told the state capture inquiry in 2019 that Mthethwa allegedly accepted a Mercedez Benz E-Class purchased by the division’s secret service account.

Hawks investigator Kobus Roelofse also told the inquiry that Mthethwa had allegedly received nearly R200,000 to upgrade his private residence in KwaZulu-Natal in 2010.

This is a developing story. Article has been amended to add DIRCO’s statement.