The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has not responded to whether it had contacted South Africa’s late ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, to testify before the inquiry before his sudden death in Paris.

Mthethwa, a former Minister of Police and Sports, was found dead at the base of the Hyatt Regency hotel in western Paris, reportedly after falling from the 22nd floor.

His death, currently under investigation by French authorities, has sent shockwaves through political and diplomatic circles.

Just two weeks before his passing, Mthethwa was implicated in explosive testimony before the commission probing political interference in policing.

KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, accused Mthethwa of obstructing justice during his tenure as Police Minister in 2011.

According to Mkhwanazi, Mthethwa pressured senior officials to halt both the prosecution and internal disciplinary proceedings against former Crime Intelligence head, Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli.

"If you talk about political interference, that was the worst that I ever experienced. At that time, I came from the specialised operations; the only thing I knew was to chase criminals.

"I am promoted to become the acting national commissioner, and I am confronted with this in front of me, and I say, but this is not what I signed up for when I joined the police. This can’t be right," Mkhwanazi explained.

Mthethwa served as Minister of Police from 2009 to 2014, before holding other high-level posts including Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture. He was appointed South Africa’s ambassador to France in December 2023.

The commission has remained silent on whether Mthethwa was formally approached to testify before his death.

The commission has also taken a break and will resume its public hearings on October 13. This after witness, Lt-Gen. Dumisani Khumalo suddenly announced ”not well”. 

Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in. President Cyril Ramaphosa described the ambassador’s death as “a moment of deep grief for the nation,” noting Mthethwa’s long service to the country.

This is a developing story. The article will be updated pending a response from the commission.

*This article was first published by IOL News