Johannesburg — The South African Police Service (SAPS) has announced that a team of seasoned investigators will be dispatched to Paris to assist in the probe into the death of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Linda Steyn confirmed Thursday that five senior officers will form part of the delegation, working in close collaboration with French authorities. The move comes amid heightened public interest and questions surrounding the circumstances of the ambassador’s death.
“We’ve got full faith and confidence in the investigation being led by the French authorities,” Steyn said. “We are purely conducting an investigation alongside them to complete the picture and to eliminate any doubts or speculation. Our main goal is to provide closure and answers to the family.”
The investigative team will be led by Major General Omar Fatala, head of detectives in the Western Cape. Fatala brings four decades of policing experience, including 35 years in the detective services.
Other members of the delegation include a representative from the Hawks, a crime scene investigator, a forensic science expert, and an Interpol liaison.
According to SAPS, the team is expected to depart South Africa on Saturday, October 4, and remain in Paris until October 10. During that period, they will work alongside French forensic teams, analyze evidence, and review investigative findings.
While the circumstances of Mthethwa’s death have not been publicly disclosed, authorities emphasized that the joint probe aims to ensure transparency and prevent misinformation.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has not yet issued a formal statement, but government officials privately acknowledged the move is intended to reassure both the public and the ambassador’s family that no stone will be left unturned.
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