The remains of Nathi Mthethwa are to be repatriated this week. Image credit: EWN.
(The Post News)- The remains of South Africa’s late Ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, are scheduled to be repatriated on Thursday, following the completion of formal procedures.
Mthethwa’s family has confirmed French authorities issued the necessary permit on Monday after concluding the postmortem examination.
The 58 year old died at a hotel in Paris last Monday under circumstances that are still being investigated by French police. His passing prompted widespread shock and an urgent meeting between Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and senior SAPS officials to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Mthethwa’s Family Confirms Postmortem Concluded
Family spokesperson Sfiso Buthelezi reported that all formal processes involving Mthethwa’s remains have now been concluded by French authorities. “Today, the family was given permission to remove the body of Ambassador Mthethwa out of the government mortuary to a government mortuary, and we also received permission to repatriate the remains of Ambassador Mthethwa from Paris to South Africa,” Buthelezi stated.
Buthelezi added that arrangements for Mthethwa’s return were already underway. “We are therefore looking on leaving Paris on Thursday and arriving in South Africa on Friday,” he said. Funeral arrangements remain to be announced as the family awaits confirmation from President Cyril Ramaphosa regarding the official status of the funeral.
Mthethwa was found dead at a hotel in Paris on Tuesday, September 30, after he was reported missing on Monday, September 29. According to initial reports, Mthethwa fell from the 22nd floor of the hotel. However, a police investigation revealed suspected suicide, as he sent a worrying message to his wife, and an advance hotel room reservation further suggests planned suicide.
Meanwhile, as part of the investigation into the death of Mthethwa, a specialized five-person police squad was dispatched to Paris. The team, led by Major-General Albert Maqhashalala, set off for France on Saturday to work with their counterparts in a joint endeavour aimed at ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ambassador Mthethwa’s death.
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