South Africa's ambassador to France found dead in Paris - Le Parisien

South Africa's ambassador to France has been found dead at the foot of the Hyatt Regency hotel, a high-rise tower in Porte Maillot in the west of Paris, newspapers Le Parisien and Le Figaro reported on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for Paris Police declined to comment. Calls to the South African Embassy went unanswered. A receptionist at the Hyatt said the hotel would not comment.

The embassy's website says Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa was South Africa's minister of arts and culture from 2014 to 2019, adding sports to his portfolio from 2019 to 2023.

The ambassador had been reported missing by his wife after she received a text message from him that worried her, Le Parisien reported.

A spokesperson at South Africa's foreign affairs department said they were "aware of unfortunate reports pertaining to Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa" and would issue a statement once there was official information.

Later, its foreign affairs ministry said on Tuesday that South Africa mourns the passing of its Ambassador to France.

"The circumstances of his untimely death are under investigation by the French authorities. The Government of South Africa extends its deepest and most sincere condolences to the family of Ambassador Mthethwa, and to his friends and colleagues during this period of immense grief," South Africa's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.