The South African government says it’s not making any assumptions about how Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa died, as French authorities continue to investigate the circumstances around his tragic fall from a Paris hotel.
Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes said on Thursday that, despite speculation in the media, no conclusions will be drawn until official findings are released.
Mthethwa, South Africa’s Ambassador to France, died after falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris.
His sudden death has shocked the nation and left many questions unanswered.
Speaking to the media outside the family home in KwaMbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal, Botes said the French police are finalising their investigation, including a post-mortem, and that early findings are expected by Sunday.
“We came to update the Mthethwa elders on the process of bringing the ambassador home,” said Botes.
Senior ANC leaders, including Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Jeff Radebe and Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, visited the family of the late ambassador.
Asked whether the government believed the ambassador had taken his own life, Botes was clear, saying: “No, absolutely not. We don’t subscribe to any narrative.”
“What we know is that one of the final sons of Africa has passed on. So we cannot confirm any reports that are circulating in the media.”
He urged the public to allow the official process to unfold.
“We are waiting for the preliminary outcomes from the French authorities. After that, we’ll speak to the family and elders and share the findings with them directly.”
Botes said the government is working to ensure that Mthethwa’s body is repatriated as soon as possible, and in line with traditional customs.
“We expect that the cultural processes will be respected, and we are looking at a timeline of around 10 days to conclude everything,” he said.
Earlier, News reported that Mthethwa’s family says arrangements to bring his body home are going smoothly.
Family spokesperson Khulekani Mthethwa said they have been in contact with relatives who travelled to France shortly after receiving the news.
“We just spoke to them today and they told us everything is in place – by Monday or Tuesday things should be finalised,” he said.
He thanked the ANC and the broader community for their support.
“Everyone has been coming in numbers. The leaders have helped us understand what to expect going forward, and that gives us some peace.”
Khulekani said the family is united and comforted by how the process is being handled.
“At the moment, we are not sure when to expect his return, and as per tradition, we still need to finalise who will be going to France to fetch Mthethwa’s spirit.”
Meanwhile, Botes called on South Africans to remember Mthethwa not only for the circumstances of his death, but for the life he lived.
“For now, our focus must be on celebrating a true internationalist – a son of KwaZulu-Natal who served South Africa with distinction. That’s the message from President Ramaphosa.”
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