The mystery surrounding the death of former minister and ambassador Nathi Mthethwa in France has finally been laid to rest after French authorities closed their investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi confirmed on Friday that the Paris Prosecutor’s Office had reached the same conclusion about the cause of death previously communicated by the Mthethwa family.
Her announcement brings an end to months of uncertainty and public speculation surrounding the death of the 58-year-old ambassador, who was found outside a hotel in Paris on 30 September last year.
Kubayi urged members of the public and the media not to spread information that had not been confirmed by authorities or the family. She said the focus should now be on respecting Mthethwa’s dignity and allowing his relatives to mourn privately.
“Members of the public and the media must refrain from circulating unfounded information,” Kubayi said.
She added:
“We must respect the dignity of the late Ambassador Mthethwa, as well as the Mthethwa family's right to closure and privacy.”
Kubayi said the matter was now closed, clearing the way for the administration and winding up of Mthethwa’s estate.
The closure of the investigation means the family can proceed with the legal and administrative responsibilities that follow a death without the uncertainty of an open investigation hanging over the estate.
The announcement also confirms that French authorities did not find grounds to continue investigating the matter. The conclusion follows the initial information released by the Paris Prosecutor’s Office after Mthethwa’s body was discovered beside the Hyatt Regency hotel.
According to the information released at the time, Mthethwa had booked a room on the hotel’s 22nd floor. His body was later found outside the building after the secured window of the room had been forced open.
The prosecutor’s office also said Mthethwa’s wife had reported him missing the previous night. Before he disappeared, he had sent her a message stating that he intended to end his life.
The investigation was launched to establish what had happened and to determine the circumstances surrounding the death. French authorities examined the hotel room, the damaged window and the location where Mthethwa was found before reaching their conclusion.
Kubayi did not provide further details about the evidence considered by the French authorities or repeat the specific cause of death in her statement. Instead, she confirmed that it matched the cause previously given by the Mthethwa family.
The minister’s warning came amid continued public interest in the case. Mthethwa was a prominent South African public figure who had held senior government positions before representing the country as ambassador in France. His sudden death attracted attention in South Africa and abroad, particularly because it took place at a hotel in Paris while he was serving in a diplomatic post.
Mthethwa was appointed South Africa’s ambassador to France in 2023. Before taking up the position, he served as police minister and later as arts and culture minister.
As police minister, he was responsible for the political oversight of the South African Police Service. He later served as arts and culture minister, a portfolio that placed him at the centre of the country’s cultural and creative affairs.
His appointment as ambassador marked a move into diplomatic service, where he represented South Africa in France. His death therefore affected not only his immediate family but also colleagues in government, the diplomatic community and people who had worked with him during his political career.
The French investigation was separate from any public discussion or speculation about his personal circumstances. The prosecutor’s office’s findings provide the official account of what happened, and Kubayi has now asked the public to accept that conclusion rather than circulate unverified claims.
The justice minister’s statement is also a direct appeal for privacy. Families dealing with a sudden death can face intense pressure when the deceased was a public figure. Rumours and unsupported claims can add to their distress, particularly when they concern sensitive personal matters.
By confirming that the investigation is closed, Kubayi said the family could now move forward with the administration of Mthethwa’s estate. Winding up an estate can involve dealing with property, financial affairs, legal documents and other responsibilities. Those processes may be difficult when a death has been followed by a prolonged investigation and public questions.
The announcement does not reopen the details of the case. It confirms that French authorities investigated the death and that their finding was consistent with the explanation already provided by the family.
Mthethwa died at the age of 58, leaving behind a career that stretched across government, policing, arts and diplomacy. His final posting in France had placed him on the international stage, but his death in Paris was followed by a period of painful uncertainty for those closest to him.
That uncertainty has now ended officially. The investigation is closed, the estate can be administered and the family can continue grieving without the case remaining unresolved in the eyes of the authorities.
Kubayi’s message was clear: the official finding must be respected, and Mthethwa’s family must be allowed the privacy and dignity needed to find closure after the loss of a husband, relative and former public servant.
