Former South Australian Police Minister Dies Following Fall at Paris Hotel

Former South African Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has been found deceased at a hotel in Paris, where he was representing Pretoria as an ambassador.

Mthethwa, who was the police minister under former President Jacob Zuma from 2009 to 2014, was discovered at the base of a Hyatt hotel following a fall, according to an official from the Paris prosecutor’s office speaking to Bloomberg. He was 58 years old.

The prosecutor’s office reported that Mthethwa had booked a room on the 22nd floor of the hotel, and noted that a security window had been forcibly opened. His wife reported him missing on Monday, and Paris prosecutors indicated that he had made a “concerning phone call,” though they did not provide additional information.

Listen/read:
Political killings probe: Mkhwanazi mixed up messages between ministers
Fresh from a crisis, Ramaphosa faces another

The announcement of Mthethwa’s death follows the suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu by President Cyril Ramaphosa, in light of serious allegations of corruption and political interference by a senior law enforcement official.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Co-operation has confirmed Mthethwa’s passing in a separate statement. “The circumstances of his untimely death are being investigated by the French authorities,” it stated.

Read:
SA’s police serve ANC insiders, not the people
Ramaphosa’s war on crime set back as scandal embroils minister

© 2025 Bloomberg

Follow Moneyweb’s in-depth finance and business news on WhatsApp here.