Maseru, Oct. 01 — Nathi Mthethwa, Ambassador of South Africa (SA) to France and former SA Minister, is believed to have committed suicide as his wife claims to have received a disturbing message from him prior to his death.
French police have disclosed that preliminary investigations reveal that Mthethwa may have jumped from a twenty second floor of a 34 storey hotel, and his body was found on Tuesday after he went missing on Monday.
It is also reported that his wife says he sent her a message on Monday, apologising and telling her how he planned to commit suicide.
Ronald Lamola, SA Minister of International Relations and Cooperation has confirmed the death of the 58 year-old ambassador, at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile hotel.
It is yet to be confirmed by the French police whether it is suicide or Mthetwa was pushed down the building. “For now, the initial inquiries “suggest that it could be a deliberate act, without the involvement of a third party,” a French public prosecutor said.
The police have also disclosed that the ‘window safety mechanism’ had been ‘forced with scissors on the left side and there are no signs of struggle, nor evidence of ‘medication or drug use’.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said, the untimely passing of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa is a moment of deep grief in which government and citizens stand beside the Mthethwa family.
“Ambassador Mthethwa has served our nation in diverse capacities during a lifetime that has ended prematurely and traumatically.”
“In his last tenure of service, he has facilitated the deepening of relations between SA and the Republic of France, which has produced benefits for individuals and businesses in both countries and advanced our cooperation in the global arena’’, Ramaphosa said.
Mthetwa’s death has raised a lot controversy, as it happens shortly after the commencement of Madlanga Commission.
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