South Africa has deployed a team of five senior investigators from the South African Police Service (SAPS) to Paris to work with French law enforcement in probing the death of Ambassador Nkosinathi “Nathi” Emmanuel Mthethwa.

The announcement was made by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia following the tragic incident, which occurred on September 30, 2025. Mthethwa’s body was discovered after falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris.

Mthethwa, aged 58, had served in several high-profile roles including Police Minister, and later as Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister before his appointment as ambassador to France in December 2023.

His death comes on the heels of his name arising in the Madlanga Commission’s inquiry into police corruption and political interference, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. French authorities reported that a message had been sent from his phone to his wife, apologizing and indicating suicidal intent; investigators also found the hotel’s safety window mechanism forcibly tampered with.

The South African government has emphasized its commitment to transparency and full cooperation. The deployed team, headed by Major General Bongani Maqhashalala, will coordinate with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and French authorities.

Meanwhile, experts and civil society are calling for a parallel investigation and oversight mechanisms, including the use of the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act to obtain all forensic evidence and ensure no detail is overlooked. As the autopsy report is awaited, public pressure for a clear account of what happened continues to build.