DIRCO, France working closely for Mthethwa’s repatriation

South Africa’s Ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa addresses delegates at the SA-France Investment Conference in France, Paris on 21 May 2025.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says that they are working closely with French authorities to repatriate the body of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa.

The 58-year-old ANC veteran died, reportedly after falling from the 22nd floor of a hotel in Paris on Monday.

“I think a number of details moving forward will be provided by the family. They do have representatives in Paris currently that are also interfacing with the French authorities and there would be some information that we think would take guidance from them how to relay this to the public. Of course, we are working quite closely with them and consulting with them quite extensively on a number of issues. Once we are in a position to repatriate the former ambassador, we will also communicate around issues of the memorial service and a number of other activities,” says DIRCO spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri.