SA Government Skeptical of Mthethwa’s Suicide Claims

The South African government has stated that it will refrain from making any assumptions regarding the death of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa, as French authorities continue to look into the events surrounding his tragic fall from a hotel in Paris.

Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes remarked on Thursday that, despite media speculation, no conclusions will be drawn until the official findings are disclosed.

Mthethwa, who served as South Africa’s Ambassador to France, tragically fell from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris.

The abrupt nature of his death has left the nation in shock and many questions lingering.

While speaking to the media outside the family residence in KwaMbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal, Botes mentioned that French police are concluding their investigation, including a post-mortem, with initial results anticipated by Sunday.

“We are here to update the Mthethwa family on the process for repatriating the ambassador’s remains,” Botes stated.

Prominent ANC leaders, including Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Jeff Radebe, and Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, have visited the bereaved family.

When questioned about whether the government believed the ambassador may have taken his own life, Botes firmly responded: “No, absolutely not. We do not align ourselves with any such narrative.”

“What we do know is that we have lost one of Africa’s greatest sons. Thus, we cannot validate any circulating reports in the media.”

Botes urged the public to allow the official inquiries to proceed without interference.

“We await the preliminary findings from the French authorities. Following that, we will engage with the family and elders to relay the insights directly.”

Botes indicated that the government is taking steps to ensure Mthethwa’s remains are returned home promptly, in accordance with traditional customs.

“We anticipate that cultural practices will be honored, and we are looking at a timeline of approximately 10 days to wrap everything up,” he noted.

Earlier reports from IOL News indicated that the family is effectively organizing the repatriation of Mthethwa’s body.

Family spokesperson Khulekani Mthethwa mentioned that they have been in touch with relatives who journeyed to France soon after the news broke.

“We just spoke to them today, and they assured us that everything is on track – arrangements should be finalized by Monday or Tuesday,” he stated.

He expressed gratitude to the ANC and the wider community for their support.

“The community has come out in numbers. The leaders have helped us navigate what to expect moving forward, providing us with some comfort.”

Khulekani reflected that the family remains united and reassured by the management of the process.

“Currently, we are unsure when to anticipate his return, and in accordance with tradition, we must still determine who will travel to France to retrieve Mthethwa’s spirit.”

In the meantime, Botes encouraged South Africans to remember Mthethwa not solely for the circumstances of his death but for the life he led.

“For now, we should focus on celebrating a true internationalist – a son of KwaZulu-Natal who has served South Africa with honor. This is the message from President Ramaphosa.”