The tragic death of South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, has taken a clearer, yet profoundly sorrowful turn, with the Paris prosecutor’s office revealing that the senior diplomat left a message for his wife explicitly stating his intention to take his own life.
According to a report from Reuters, the prosecutor’s office detailed that Ambassador Mthethwa’s wife had reported him missing on Monday evening after receiving a deeply concerning message from him. In it, he reportedly “apologised and expressed his intention to end his life.” This revelation provides the first official insight into the state of mind of the 58-year-old diplomat before his body was discovered at the foot of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris.
A Deliberate Act in a Hotel Room
The investigative details paint a stark picture of the final moments. Mthethwa had booked a room on the 22nd floor of the hotel. Upon examining the room, investigators found that the window’s security mechanism had been deliberately forced open with a pair of scissors, which were left at the scene. The prosecutor’s office further noted that there were no signs of a struggle and no traces of medication or narcotics were found, supporting the preliminary conclusion of suicide.
A Nation Awaits Answers and Prepares to Mourn
In response to the developing investigation, South Africa’s International Relations Minister, Ronald Lamola, has stated that the government will await the completion of the French authorities’ probe before initiating the repatriation of Mthethwa’s remains. Lamola emphasized that this process would be carried out in accordance with the family’s directives.
“The French authorities have been cooperative in this matter,” Lamola said. “Once there is an amount of clarity from the French police, the family and the mission will work on the process to repatriate his body back to South Africa, and the family will obviously decide on the processes in relation to his funeral.”
He added that the family would consult with the government, and announcements would be made “at the right time once all the consultations and the decisions have been made.”
Tributes Pour In for a Dedicated Public Servant
As the official investigation continues, tributes have begun to pour in for the late ambassador, highlighting his long and dedicated service to South Africa. UDM leader Bantu Holomisa sent his condolences, praising Mthethwa’s dedication to diplomacy and recalling his “vital support” during a UDM delegation’s visit to France earlier this year. Holomisa stated that Mthethwa’s “legacy as a patriot and diplomat will be long remembered.”
The news has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s political landscape, where Mthethwa was a well-known figure, having previously served as Minister of Police and later as Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture. As the nation grapples with the loss, the focus remains on supporting the Mthethwa family through a devastating time while awaiting the conclusions from Paris.
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