Nathi Mthethwa dead: South African ambassador to France dies in 22-storey hotel fall

The South African ambassador to Francehas died in a fall from the 22nd floor of a hotel after going missing.

Emmanuel Nkosinathi Mthethwa disappeared yesterday, but his body has been found today at the Hyatt Hotel in Paris. The 58-year-old was reported missing by his wife, "who indicated having received a worrying message from him in the evening," the Paris prosecutor's office said. His body was eventualy found nearby, right above the Hayatt Hotel. "He had booked a room on the 22nd floor, whose secure window was forced open."

Police originally sent dogs from the canine brigade to the Bois de Boulogne - a park and bonatical garden in Paris where Mr Mthethwa's phone last pinged, but the animals were unable to locate him there. "Fearing a possible suicide, the police, supported by the dog squad, had searched the woods in western Paris," the Paris Proesecutor's office said.

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Mr Mthethwa was originally posted to the French Embassy in February 2024 and was also South Africa's permanent delegate to UNESCO. He previously served as the Minister of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa from May 2014 to 2019, before working as the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture between 2019 and 2023.

Between 2007 and 2022, Mthethwa served as a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) - the party’s chief executive organ and highest decision-making body between conferences. During this time, he was a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of South Africa's governing party, which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the party and making recommendations to the NEC.

South African and French officials have not yet made any public comments on the incident.

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