Cliff Notes
- South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, has been found dead at the Hyatt Hotel in Paris, prompting concerns after a worrying text was received by his wife.
- The 58-year-old diplomat was reported missing prior to the discovery, with his foreign affairs department acknowledging the situation and promising a statement once official information is available.
- Mthethwa previously served as South Africa’s minister of arts and culture and was appointed ambassador earlier this year, also holding a permanent delegate position at UNESCO.
South African ambassador found dead at foot of Paris high-rise hotel, French media reports | World News
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South Africa’s ambassador to France has been found dead at the foot of a high-rise hotel in Paris, French newspapers are reporting.
Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa had been reported missing by his wife after she received a text message from him that worried her, Le Parisien reported.
Reuters is reporting a prosecutor as saying the ambassador has been found dead next to the Hyatt Hotel. French media said the hotel was in Porte Maillot in the west of the French capital.
A spokesperson at South Africa’s foreign affairs department said they were “aware of unfortunate reports pertaining to
Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa” and would issue a statement once there was official information.
The ambassador was South Africa’s minister of arts and culture from 2014 to 2019, adding sports to his portfolio from 2019 to 2023.
Mr Mthethwa, who was 58, was originally posted to the French embassy in February 2024 and was also South Africa’s permanent delegate to UNESCO.
