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South Africa Sends SAPS Team to Paris as Probe Into Ambassador Mthethwa’s Death Advances

French authorities cite evidence of a self‑inflicted fall as the case remains under formal investigation.

Overview

  • A five-member SAPS delegation led by Major General Bongani Maqhashalala departed Saturday to work with French police on the investigation.
  • The post-mortem in Paris is still underway, with results expected as early as Sunday and formalities such as the death certificate needed before repatriation.
  • Investigators report a forced-open window and a pair of scissors in the 22nd-floor room and have logged a farewell message to his wife, with no signs of struggle or drugs reported.
  • Hotel records show he booked the Hyatt on 15 September, shifted check-in to 29 September, was reported missing that evening, and was found dead on 30 September outside the property.
  • Family responses differ, with his wife not contesting preliminary findings and receiving returned belongings and his phone, while his brother rejects the suicide explanation and welcomes SAPS involvement.