Was Nathi Mthethwa killed? Family Rejects Suicide Claims

The sudden death of South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, has shocked the nation and ignited a wave of questions. Official reports suggest suicide, but his family is firmly rejecting that conclusion — insisting the former minister would never have taken his own life.

Mthethwa, 58, was found dead on the morning of Tuesday, 30 September, after falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris. French authorities are investigating the circumstances and say no possibilities, including foul play, are being ruled out. The family, however, is already convinced: something is wrong.

“We are not accepting this,” said his brother, Khulekani Mthethwa, speaking from the family home in KwaMbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal.

“My brother endured the worst the apartheid system could do to him. He was tortured. He never backed down. Why would a man like that choose to die now?”

According to Khulekani, Nathi had shown no signs of despair or fear, despite being linked days earlier to testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. “He was not afraid of facing the Commission.

''He would have gone there and spoken for himself, as he always did.” The family’s concerns have only deepened with news that Mthethwa was travelling alone.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed he had no bodyguards with him at the time, a rare situation for someone of his rank. “We need to understand why he had no protection,” Khulekani added.

“It is too convenient.”What happened in Mthethwa’s final days? On Thursday, 26 September, Mthethwa was reportedly added to a list of 33 individuals set to appear before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating political interference in the police.''

On the same day, Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told the Madlanga Commission that, as Police Minister in 2011, Mthethwa had tried to block disciplinary action against Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli.

On Saturday, 28 September, Mthethwa made a public appearance at the Delville Wood Memorial in France, where he laid a wreath in honour of Private Beleza Myengwa of the South African Labour Corps. He appeared composed and was representing the country in his diplomatic capacity.

On Monday, 29 September, at around 3 pm, Mthethwa’s phone was last active. That afternoon, he reportedly told his wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi, that he was attending a cocktail event. Instead, he checked into the Hyatt hotel, a booking made ten days earlier.

Later that evening, Philisiwe received a disturbing message suggesting emotional distress: “I cannot do this anymore.”Alarmed, she contacted authorities.

A search began that night, including the woods in western Paris. On Tuesday, 30 September, Mthethwa’s body was found around 11 am in the hotel courtyard. The Paris prosecutor confirmed the 22nd-floor window had been forced open with scissors, which were found at the scene.

There was no evidence of forced entry into the room, and no drugs or alcohol were detected. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed the death and said French officials had launched a formal inquiry.

The ANC paid tribute to Mthethwa as a freedom fighter and disciplined public servant. President Cyril Ramaphosa noted his recent work strengthening ties between South Africa and France, calling the death a national tragedy.

Mthethwa was married to Philisiwe Buthelezi, former CEO of the National Empowerment Fund and sister to former Deputy Finance Minister Sfiso Buthelezi. The couple represented a formidable presence in both politics and business.

As France investigates, South Africans are left with more questions than answers. Why was Mthethwa alone? Why did he reserve that hotel room ahead of time? Why would a man known for resilience and political toughness suddenly break?

French authorities say they are taking the matter seriously. "All hypotheses remain open," said the Paris prosecutor’s office. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, digital communications, and travel records.

''Still, for the Mthethwa family, the story being told does not make sense.“He was not running from anything,” said Khulekani.

“He was not afraid of any Commission. He was a fighter. Something happened to him, and we want the truth.”And until that truth emerges, one haunting question echoes louder than the rest: Did Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa jump from that window — or was he pushed?