The South African ambassador to France tragically passed away after falling from the 22nd floor of a hotel following his disappearance. Emmanuel Nkosinathi Mthethwa was reported missing by his wife after receiving a concerning message from him. His body was discovered at the Hyatt Hotel in Paris, where he had booked a room on the 22nd floor with a window that had been tampered with.
Initially, search efforts were focused on the Bois de Boulogne park where his phone last pinged, but he was not found there. Concerns of a possible suicide prompted a thorough search of the area by police and canine units. Mr. Mthethwa’s last public appearance was at the 109th Anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood in Longueval, Departement de la Somme.
Having served in various prominent roles, including as South Africa’s permanent delegate to UNESCO and as a Minister of Arts and Culture and Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Mr. Mthethwa was a respected figure in politics. He had a longstanding career within the African National Congress and was known for his contributions to the anti-apartheid movement.
The South African foreign affairs department mourned Mr. Mthethwa’s passing, describing it as a significant loss for the nation. French authorities are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The Paris judicial police’s Brigade for the Suppression of Crimes Against Persons is leading the inquiry, with a duty magistrate and Mthethwa’s relatives being involved in the investigation.
The South African embassy in Paris was reportedly not reachable for comments, indicating a somber atmosphere following the tragic incident.
