WeeklySA_AdminMYSTERY: Process to repatriate the ambassador’s body from France under way…
By Lehlohonolo Lehana
The family of South Africa’s Ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa has confirmed receipt of his death certificate, though his remains are yet to be released pending a post-mortem.
Mthethwa, who was 58, was found dead outside the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris on September 30. The tragedy is still being investigated.
Family spokesperson and brother-in-law, Dr Sfiso Buthelezi confirmed the receipt of the death certificate, saying it will assist to start the process of repatriation of his remains.
“The body is in the government mortuary (Paris). They must still do the autopsy. They said they think by Monday, at the latest, Tuesday, they’ll finish their processes, and they can hand the body over to us.
Then we must start the process of repatriating the remains back home.”
Mthethwa’s autopsy report is expected on Monday or Tuesday.
Buthelezi added that the family rejects unsubstantiated claims, such as suicide narratives, until the full report is out.
South Africa meanwhile will conduct a parallel probe, after sending a high level delegation of investigators to France to assist with the investigation.
Buthelezi welcomed the deployment of investigators to Paris.
“I received a call from the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, who conveyed his sincere condolences to the family. He further informed us that he will be sending a highly experienced and capable team to work alongside the French authorities in probing the passing of the late ambassador, Nathi Mthethwa.”
The five seasoned officers will form a team, and work with French authorities. They are expected to leave for Paris tomorrow and to complete their investigations by the end of next week.
As the family, we welcome this development and deeply appreciate the support of the South African Police Service in this important matter.
Buthelezi said the investigator’s involvement will assist in providing the family with the closure they greatly need.
Mthethwa began serving as South Africa’s envoy to France in December 2023 – his latest role in a series of high-profile portfolios that included stints as police minister, as well as the minister of sports, arts and culture.
As a young man, he campaigned against apartheid, a racist policy that kept Blacks and Whites apart, and grew through the ranks of the African National Congress (ANC) party, which fought for democratic rule in South Africa.
Mthethwa also served in the nation’s parliament and sat on the board of directors for the 2010 FIFA World Cup local organizing committee.
ANC stalwarts like Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Jeff Radebe and Senzo Mchunu, have visited his home in Kwazulu-Natal to offer support. The Paris embassy also has opened a book of condolences until 8 October for public tributes.
A week ago, Mthethwa’s name had been revealed during the Madlanga Commission by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during his testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption the in the criminal justice system.
Mkhwanazi told the judicial commission that political interference was at its worst when he acted as national police commissioner between October 2011 and June 2012. At the time, Mthethwa served as the Minister of Police from May 11 2009 until May 25 2014.
Mkhwanazi said Mthethwa wanted to stop the prosecution of ex-national police crime intelligence head Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli and stop the disciplinary case against the former top cop.
Reports quoting a family spokesman say Mthethwa had not been too concerned about Mkhwanazi’s mention of his name at the inquiry and the reported encounter between the two. – Fullview. Additional reporting by IOL
MIRROR Briefs
Youth tourism internship launch
Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube has launched a new internship programme aimed at empowering young South Africans in the hospitality sector.
The initiative, unveiled yesterday in partnership with the University of Johannesburg, Youth Employment Service and Diageo SA, seeks to open pathways to skills training, internships, and job opportunities for young people in the sector.
“This is about producing chefs, creators, innovators and entrepreneurs. It is about building careers, not just filling jobs,” Dube-Ncube said.
She added that last year, the YES Programme achieved a 100% absorption rate; with all trained youth either placed in employment or supported to start a youth-led business..
“In hospitality, this responsibility lies with the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA). In May this year, CATHSSETA proudly graduated 164 learners from the Occupational Chef Qualification Programme (NQF 5),” Dube-Ncube said.
Dube-Ncube outlined the government’s priorities, which include: exploring satellite training hubs in townships and rural areas; guaranteeing opportunities. – SAnews.gov.za.
RAMAPHOSA’S BID FAILS
The Gauteng High Court has dismissed president Cyril Ramaphosa and government bid to halt lawsuit of R167 million by the families of victims and survivors of apartheid-era atrocities until the conclusion of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
The lawsuit has been filed by the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) and 25 families for actively sabotaging their attempt to seek justice and closure more than two decades after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
The first applicant in the case is Lukhanyo Calata, the son of Fort Calata, one of four antiapartheid activists known as the “Cradock Four” who were killed in 1985. In May 2025, Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a judicial commission chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe to get to the bottom of allegations of political interference.
After establishing the commission, he applied to the court to stay the case until the commission completed its work.
This was rejected by the families. In a written judgement, Judge Nicolene Janse Van Nieuwenhuizen, dismissed the application with costs and said : “It is rather ironic that the Government, who is the sole cause for the delay, wants this court to sanction yet a further indefinite delay without being able to point to any tangible benefit that will be achieved by the delay.’’ -Lehlohonolo Lehana
BUDGET HINDERS PROBE
The Commission of Inquiry to investigate traditional leadership disputes in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District in Northern Cape, has not been able to resume its duties due to reasons beyond its control.
The inquiry was established by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul and its existence was announced to inform the public about the work it was due to undertake.
For reasons beyond its control, the commission has not been able to commence with its work. To mitigate the loss of public faith in the commission, Chairperson of the Commission, Prof. Mandla Maseko has written to the Premier, highlighting their challenges.
‘’The commission is hopeful that the office of the Premier will unblock the internal processes to ensure that the commission receives a budget, allowing it to plan and execute its work without hindrance.’’ The commission is expected to be launched in the near future after it had introduced itself to the Houses of Traditional Leaders.
Maseko said the Commission will keep the public informed of its work through regular updates on different platforms that would be advertised.- WSAM Reporter.
FAILING MUNICIPALITIES WARNED
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has delivered a stark warning on the state of local government, saying while progress has been made in many areas, a number of municipalities still battle poor financial management and eroding public trust. Speaking at the Local Government Indaba in Midrand, Hlabisa said too many municipalities left citizens “with a sense of despair, where almost everything is upside down”, highlighting widespread governance failures.
He cautioned that the culture of “no accountability, lack of transparency, political interference and no consequence management” was crippling service delivery — particularly in underperforming municipalities — and insisted this must come to an end.
Despite the bleak assessment, the Minister pointed to municipalities that were thriving, adopting funded budgets consistently, using grants effectively, delivering services, and earning clean audits.
“There are municipalities that render services at an above-satisfactory level and give clean accountability to the Auditor-General,” he noted, describing them as examples to follow.
Hlabisa outlined key reforms needed to restore confidence, including professionalising local government, strengthening ethical leadership, ensuring inclusive public participation and driving accountability at every level.
“Every municipality must work.” Underscoring the economic importance of metros – which housed 62% of South Africa’s population and controlled the largest budgets – Hlabisa warned that “if they are not functional, our country’s economy cannot grow.” – Sanews.
