Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa Found Dead in Paris Circumstances Suggest Possible Suicide

Nathi Mthethwa, the South African ambassador to France, was found dead after reportedly jumping from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt hotel near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. His body was discovered at the foot of the hotel shortly after he was reported missing by his wife on Monday, September 28, 2025. French police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Sources indicate that Mthethwa, aged 58, may have taken his own life, reflecting a tragic conclusion to his life marked by a notable political career in South Africa, during which he held several ministerial positions from 2009 to 2023. Eyewitnesses and initial reports described a scene of shock, as hotel guests became aware of the situation following police activity outside the venue.

The investigation is still ongoing, with authorities examining the circumstances leading up to the incident. This revelation has sent ripples through diplomatic circles as Mthethwa was a prominent figure within the African National Congress (ANC) and was closely associated with former President Jacob Zuma.