A cap, a coat and a remote: Nathi Mthethwa's belongings returned to widow after Paris tragedy
Ambassador of South Africa to France, former Cabinet minister, Nathi Mthethwa.
Image: Itumeleng English
A cap, a coat, and a remote control: these were the belongings handed to the widow of South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi “Nathi” Emmanuel Mthethwa, after his tragic death at an upmarket Paris hotel this week.
IOL reported earlier on Friday that new details had emerged surrounding the death of the senior South African diplomat.
In the latest developments, family spokesperson Sifiso Buthelezi, a former deputy finance minister, told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that French police had visited the official residence to update the widow, Philisiwe Buthelezi, and the family on the ongoing investigations — and to hand over the ambassador’s personal belongings.
Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa and his wife Philisiwe.
Image: File
“The police came to the residence just to update us, as to where they are with the investigation and what they found, and also to give Phili the belongings of the ambassador — which was a coat, a cap, and a remote, if my memory serves me well,” said Buthelezi from Paris.
IOL has also reported that the ambassador, formerly a long-serving cabinet minister, had reserved a room at the Hyatt Regency hotel almost two weeks prior to his disappearance on Monday, according to statements from both French police and the family.
The 58-year-old diplomat originally booked the room on September 15 for a stay commencing Saturday, September 27, and ending Sunday, September 28, 2025. He did not arrive on those dates, but later postponed his stay to Monday, September 29.
“He ended up postponing it to the 29th (Monday) and that is the day on which he disappeared. On the 29th indeed he came, he checked in, and that is why they were checking the cameras. That is the information they gave us,” said Buthelezi.
His wife saw him for the last time on Monday afternoon, before he was due to attend a cocktail event. Later that evening, she received a distressing message.
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed the message in a statement: “in which he apologised to her and expressed his intention to end his life.”
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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