French Police Close Probe into Ambassador Mthethwa’s Death, Family Left in the Dark

By The Quest correspondant

French authorities have formally closed their investigation into the death of South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, ruling it a suicide and insisting there is nothing more to pursue.

“The investigation has been concluded. The ambassador committed suicide. Honestly, it is no more than that. The French police will not dig into the theories about why he committed suicide, etc… the investigation is over,” a French official told The Quest.

Mthethwa, who was 58 at the time of his death, had only been appointed ambassador in February 2024 and presented his credentials later that month. Just seven months later, on 30 September 2025, he was found dead in Paris, sparking a frenzy of speculation surrounding his untimely death.

His family, however, say they have not been informed that the investigation has been halted. They are still waiting for both the South African and French governments to notify them about the progress of the probe. “We are in the dark,” said his uncle, Bongukuphila Mthethwa, who led the family delegation to France. Traditional rituals were performed before his body was repatriated, but the family still waits for clarity.

Mthethwa’s political career was marked by both meteoric rise and controversy. As Minister of Police, he faced criticism for shielding former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli, accused of attempted murder, kidnapping, nepotism, and misuse of slush funds. Mthethwa himself was accused of benefiting from those same slush funds, with claims that they were used to build a perimeter wall around his rural homestead in KwaMbonambi. His name came up repeatedly in parliamentary inquiries into corruption and interference in the criminal justice system, reinforcing suspicions that his death may have been linked to unresolved scandals.

One longtime friend believes Mthethwa took his own life rather than face testimony that could implicate powerful figures. “Even during the funeral there were rumours that he had been called to testify on his role in the capture of the police. It is clear he could not testify without compromising himself or others, and so I think he opted for suicide,” the friend told The Quest.

The silence has only deepened speculation, with social media buzzing with theories ranging from foreign intelligence involvement to political silencing. Some posts even claim Mthethwa is not dead at all — that he is living quietly somewhere in Europe, or perhaps as close as Cape Town. These rumours, though unsubstantiated, continue to fuel debate and distrust.

In Klaarwater township, where Mthethwa spent his formative years before rising to political power, neighbours are divided. A close friend insists he did commit suicide, saying his conscience was troubled. Others believe he was killed, pointing to his political enemies and unresolved controversies. Still others echo the social media rumours, claiming he may be alive, living abroad or even nearby.

In Durban, where his political career was closely watched, the uncertainty has become part of everyday conversations. Some invoke his story as a cautionary tale about the burdens of power, while others see it as evidence of deeper secrets within South Africa’s political system.

Across South Africa and on social media, Mthethwa’s death remains a subject of intense speculation. His story is invoked as both a cautionary tale and a mystery: power and prominence do not shield one from accountability, nor from the shadows that follow unresolved controversies.

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Athlenda Mathe declined to comment on behalf of the SAPS regarding the matter. TQ

Sidebar:

Timeline of Nathi Mthethwa’s Life

1967: Born in KwaMbonambi, near eMpangeni in KwaZulu‑Natal.

1980s: Relocate to south Durban township of Klaarwater. In later years start being active in underground ANC structures during the struggle years.

2008–2009: Appointed by the then President Jacob Zuma as the Minister of Safety and Security.

2009–2014: Minister of Police; controversies over Richard Mdluli and Crime Intelligence slush funds.

2019–2023: Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture.

February 2024: Appointed South Africa’s ambassador to France.

September 2025: Found dead in Paris at age 58.

March 2026: French authorities say the probe into Mthethwa’s death closed, ruling suicide.TQ