South African Ambassador to France found dead in Paris Hotel

Nkosinathi Mthethwa, South Africa’s ambassador to France, has been found dead in Paris after reportedly jumping from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Hotel, according to French newspaper Le Parisien.

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed that Mthethwa’s wife had earlier reported him missing after receiving a “worrying message” from him. His phone was last traced on Monday afternoon near the Bois de Boulogne in the city’s 16th arrondissement.

Mthethwa, 58, was appointed ambassador to France in February and also served as South Africa’s permanent delegate to UNESCO. Before his diplomatic role, he held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Minister of Police, and Minister of Safety and Security. He also chaired the parliamentary committee on mines and energy between 2004 and 2008.

The Brigade for the Repression of Personal Crime (BRDP) of the Paris judicial police has launched an investigation into his death.