South Africa’s ambassador to France was found dead outside a high-rise hotel in Paris on Tuesday, according to local authorities.
The Paris prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the death of Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa.
The 58-year-old was reported missing by his wife on Monday after she received a worrying text message from him, according to prosecutors.
Mthethwa had booked a room on the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel, and the secure window had been forced open, the prosecutor’s office said.
The South African government issued a statement on Tuesday to mourn the “untimely passing” of Mthethwa in France.
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“I have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss but is also felt within the international diplomatic community,” said Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s minister of international relations and cooperation.
Mthethwa was South Africa’s minister of arts and culture from 2014 to 2019, and minister of sports, arts and culture between 2019 and 2023.
He was posted to the French embassy in February 2024 and was also South Africa’s permanent delegate to UNESCO.
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