NATIONAL NEWS - France says its investigation into the death of the late former South African ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, is complete and has ruled it a suicide.
However, South African officials say they have not received a final report.
The 58-year-old Mthethwa was found dead on the morning of Tuesday, 30 September 2025, after falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris.
Questions
Security strategist and former Interpol ambassador Andy Mashaile insists questions about Mthethwa cannot be ignored.
Mashaile has raised sharp concerns about the handling of the investigation, questioning why South African law enforcement was not invited to participate.
“If you say you have not received the final outcome, please – a simple analysis says we don’t know what happened. You haven’t told us what actually transpired,” Mashaile told eNCA, pressing for clarity.
Warning
Drawing comparisons with international practice, he noted: “I have a sound understanding and knowledge of other countries. We have seen the FBI joining forces with local police, either in India or all over the world, to help in allaying the fears of the people and of our government.”
Mashaile warned that excluding South African authorities could undermine confidence in the findings.
“What if the death is not a suicide? How will we then be able to argue it, given the fact that we were not part and parcel of the investigation?” he asked.
Saps
He further questioned whether South African police were prevented from deploying investigators.
“Did we lose out on the time to send police to investigate, or were we stopped? Were our officers told, ‘Don’t come and do your fish and chips investigation, don’t play here’?”
Mashaile demanded clarity.
“Those three scenarios – which is the correct one? And honestly, why is it that they did not invite our law enforcement agencies?”
Foul play
French authorities investigating the circumstances previously said that no possibilities, including foul play, were being ruled out.
It was previously reported that the secured window in Mthethwa’s room on the 22nd had been forced open with a pair of scissors found at the scene.
Article: Caxton publication, The Citizen
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