Key Takeaways
- The French Embassy in South Africa has denied claims of obstructing a probe into the death of ambassador Nathi Mthethwa
- A group of South African police officers were reportedly prevented from going to Paris to investigate the matter
- The French Embassy spokesperson has stated that only one police officer submitted a request for a visa, which was quickly granted
- The French authorities have cooperated with the South African police in investigating the death of the ambassador
- The investigation is ongoing, and the French Embassy has expressed its commitment to bilateral judicial cooperation with South Africa
Introduction to the Incident
The French Embassy in South Africa has recently denied any claims of obstructing a probe into the death of ambassador Nathi Mthethwa. This follows media reports that a group of South African police officers were prevented from going to Paris and investigating the matter. The incident has sparked controversy and raised questions about the cooperation between the French and South African authorities. Ambassador Mthethwa fell to his death from the 22nd floor of a Paris hotel in September at the age of 58, and the circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear.
The Investigation and Cooperation
South African police later announced the deployment of five experienced detectives to work with French authorities in investigating his death. However, the Sunday Times recently reported that the team of detectives was refused entry into France. This report has been denied by the French Embassy spokesperson, Tristan Roussigneol-Retif, who stated that only one police officer submitted a request for a visa, which was quickly granted. The official was able to travel to Paris and was welcomed by French authorities. The French police have acted with cooperation and diligence with South Africa on the matter, and there was never any intention on the French side to obstruct cooperation between French and South African police.
Response from the French Embassy
The French Embassy spokesperson has emphasized that the French authorities are committed to cooperating with the South African police in investigating the death of the ambassador. Roussigneol-Retif stated that "there was never any intention on the French side to obstruct cooperation between French and South African police. On the contrary, it is in France’s interest to give a new impetus to the bilateral judicial cooperation." This statement suggests that the French authorities are keen to work with the South African police to get to the bottom of the incident and to strengthen their bilateral judicial cooperation.
Response from the South African Police
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe has also commented on the incident, stating that "we decided that only one [will] go, looking at cost containment measures. One went and came back." This statement suggests that the South African police had decided to send only one officer to Paris due to cost considerations, and that officer has since returned. This response seems to contradict the earlier reports of a team of detectives being refused entry into France, and it is unclear what the exact circumstances were surrounding the investigation.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The investigation into the death of ambassador Nathi Mthethwa is ongoing, and it is unclear what the outcome will be. The French Embassy has denied any claims of obstructing the probe, and the French authorities have expressed their commitment to cooperating with the South African police. The incident has highlighted the importance of bilateral judicial cooperation between France and South Africa, and it is likely that the two countries will continue to work together to get to the bottom of the incident. As more information becomes available, it is likely that the circumstances surrounding the death of the ambassador will become clearer, and the investigation will continue to unfold.