South Africa's ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, has been found dead near the four-star Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris, French officials have told the BBC.
Mthethwa, 58, was reported missing by his wife on Monday evening after a worrying message from him, according to the Paris prosecutor's office.
He had booked a room on the 22nd floor of the high-rise hotel, where security officials reported that a hotel window was forced open.
The details surrounding his death are currently unclear, and an investigation has been launched, with a duty magistrate responding to the scene.
Mthethwa held a prominent position within the African National Congress (ANC), the party that championed South Africa's transition to democracy in 1994. Since December 2023, he served as the ambassador to Paris, further enhancing his long-standing public service career that included roles as the police minister and arts and culture minister.
He was a known ally of former President Jacob Zuma and had been implicated in the state capture inquiry, an investigation into corruption allegations during Zuma's leadership.
In a statement, South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola described Mthethwa as a distinguished servant of the nation, emphasizing that his passing represents a significant loss felt both nationally and within the global diplomatic community.
Authorities in France are currently looking into the circumstances of Mthethwa's unexpected death.
