Cape Town – The family of the late South African Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, is demanding clarity over his mysterious death after he fell from the 22nd floor of a Paris hotel on October 2, 2025.
French authorities are still investigating the incident, with South Africa’s acting Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia, dispatching five senior investigators, led by Major General Maqhashalala, to assist and ensure transparency, IOL reported.
From Mthethwa’s home in Kwambonambi, his brother-in-law Khulekani Buthelezi thanked the government for its efforts, saying the family only wants “the truth, nothing more.”
“I think combining different groups and skills to achieve a certain outcome, in this case, will result in a report that provides facts about what transpired,” the report quoted Buthelezi as saying.
[WATCH]
The family of former Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa is seeking urgent clarification about the circumstances of his death and is awaiting government communication regarding the repatriation process. pic.twitter.com/2doTHAdiK1— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 5, 2025
“We would like to thank the government for this initiative, and we understand that the investigative team has traveled to France to collaborate with French investigators.
“We hope that, with a team of diverse skills, the outcome will be as expected: the truth, nothing more.”
Buthelezi also spoke of the emotional toll on Mthethwa’s widow and relatives, noting that while repatriation of his body is expected soon, logistical and procedural delays — including an autopsy — have slowed the process.
In an interview with SABC News, the brother-in-law confirmed that the family had been promised by the authorities for the return of the Mthethwa’s body, by Tuesday latest.
“The authorities in France. They actually promised by tomorrow, latest Tuesday”
“Obviously as you know there has to be an autopsy completed before they can actually hand over the body to the family,” said Bhutelezi.
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
