The South African ambassador to France tragically fell to his death from a hotel in Paris after sending his wife a distressing message. Emmanuel Nkosinathi Mthethwa, 58, disappeared, leading to a search that ended with the discovery of his body near the Hyatt Hotel in Porte Maillot. His wife, Philisiwe Buthelezi, reported him missing after receiving the concerning message from him. Mthethwa had reserved a room on the 22nd floor, where the window was found forced open.
An investigation has been initiated by the authorities, with a magistrate visiting the scene. Mthethwa’s phone last registered near the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, prompting a search operation by the police with canine units. The search was fruitless, and concerns of a potential suicide prompted a thorough search of the western Paris woods.
Mthethwa’s recent public appearance was at the 109th Anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood in Longueval, Departement de la Somme. He had been serving at the French Embassy since February 2024 and was also South Africa’s permanent delegate to UNESCO. Prior to this role, he held ministerial positions in Arts and Culture and later in Sport, Arts, and Culture.
Having been a member of the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) from 2007 to 2022, Mthethwa played significant roles within the party’s leadership structures. South African and French officials have not commented publicly on the incident, and the South African embassy in Paris was reportedly unresponsive.
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