Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says no final outcome has been communicated on the French investigation into the death of South Africa’s late ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa.
Cachalia said the investigation was conducted by French authorities because Mthethwa died in France, while clarifying that the South African Police Service (SAPS) did not deploy investigators to the country.
“The investigation into the death of the late South African Ambassador to the French Republic was conducted by the French authorities, as the incident occurred within their jurisdiction.
”At this stage, no final outcome has been communicated in respect of the investigation,” Cachalia said.
His response came after ActionSA Member of Parliament (MP) Dereleen James asked the Acting Police Minister for the official outcome of the investigation and whether SAPS had sent a team to France to assist French authorities.
Mthethwa, 58, was found dead after falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris on September 30, 2025.
French authorities subsequently investigated the circumstances surrounding his death.
At the time, SAPS said it would send investigators to France to assist with the probe.
However, Cachalia’s latest parliamentary response states that SAPS did not deploy investigators.
“The South African Police Service did not deploy any investigators to the French Republic in relation to this matter,” he said.
Instead, two SAPS members were authorised to travel to France on a fact-finding mission and to facilitate cooperation with the French authorities.
“However, two SAPS members were authorised to travel to the French Republic on a fact-finding mission and to facilitate cooperation and engagement with the relevant French authorities regarding the investigation,” Cachalia said.
The travel and related costs were administered through the Interpol budget.
Cachalia said the estimated costs recorded in the memorandum, including an addendum, amounted to R164,812.17, while the actual cost of the trip for the two SAPS members was R124 227.71.
“The actual costs for two members amounted to R 124,227.71,” he said.
The engagement between the South African and French authorities also resulted in an agreement to pursue a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) process through the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
“The engagement between the South African and French authorities resulted in agreement that a process of Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) should be pursued through the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development,” Cachalia said.
At the time of Mthethwa’s death, French authorities were investigating the circumstances surrounding his fall from the Paris hotel.
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