France concludes investigation into former South African ambassador's death, ruling it a suicide

Mthethwa, 58, was found dead on September 30, 2025, after falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris. However, South African officials state they have not yet received a final report. Security strategist and former Interpol ambassador Andy Mashaile has raised concerns about the investigation's handling, questioning why South African law enforcement was not invited to participate.

Mashaile emphasized the importance of South African involvement to ensure transparency and confidence in the findings, noting that excluding them could undermine the credibility of the outcome, especially if the death were not a suicide. He also questioned whether South African police were prevented from deploying their own investigators. Previously, French authorities had stated that no possibilities, including foul play, were being ruled out, and it was reported that a secured window in Mthethwa's room had been forced open with scissors found at the scene.