SAPS sends one officer to Paris to engage French counterparts in the inquiry into Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa’s death. This trims an earlier plan to deploy five investigators. National Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed the change on Tuesday, 7 October. This was on the sidelines of SAPS’s Safer Festive Season launch in Bloemfontein. He said a single senior officer would travel to France to liaise with authorities.
Liaison Role, not a Parallel Probe
Masemola stressed that the officer will not run a separate investigation. Instead, the officer will receive a first-hand briefing from French police, ask questions, and report back to South Africa. “We are just going there to receive a first-hand report,” he said. He added that DIRCO is already involved and cooperation is routine when a South African dies abroad. This is especially true for a representative of the president. He indicated the officer would leave on Tuesday and update the mission once in Paris.
Why SAPS Adjusted its Approach
Last week, the Police Ministry announced plans to send “five seasoned officers” to support French authorities. Masemola’s update narrows that plan while keeping the focus on transparency and accountability for the public and the family. The revision means SAPS sends one officer to Paris while relying on police-to-police cooperation rather than a larger on-the-ground team.
Repatriation Expected this Week
Family spokesperson Sfiso Buthelezi told Newzroom Afrika in Paris that the ambassador’s body is expected to be repatriated by week’s end. This follows the completion of a post-mortem and the release of the remains by French authorities. He said the family hoped to fly home on Thursday and arrive on Friday. The cause of death has not yet been confirmed; Mthethwa died outside a Paris hotel last week.
The Bottom Line
The shift means SAPS sends one officer to Paris to secure direct answers while French authorities lead the inquest. The aim, Masemola said, is urgency, transparency and respect for a public servant who died while representing South Africa.
