by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – THIS has been one of the most dramatic and potentially defining weeks in South Africa’s increasingly volatile politics.
The ambassador to France has died in what is suspected to be a suicide.
A prominent opposition leader has been found guilty on illegal firearm charges and a senior cop blowing the whistle on crime kingpins that have allegedly “captured” the state has suddenly fallen ill.
The rumour mill is on overdrive after the death of Ambassador to France and former cabinet minister, Nathi Mthethwa.
The death has sent shockwaves across the two countries.
Initial reports indicate he jumped to his demise from the 22nd floor of an upmarket hotel in the capital, Paris, on Tuesday.
The death has triggered speculation if he indeed took his life, having been reported missing by his wife having reported him missing to the French police and sending her a “distressing message” from him the previous evening.
Mthethwa (58) was ambassador from 2024 and had occupied posts in cabinet between 2008 and 2023.
Last week, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, implicated the now-deceased political interference during his tenure as police minister between 2009 and 2014.
The allegations were laid bare during the ongoing judicial commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system.
The commission heard how Mthethwa had allegedly wanted to stop the prosecution of an ex-national police crime intelligence head from prosecution.
The African National Congress (ANC) member is among a string of politicians from the party that police top brass has accused at the commission for allegedly abetting the free rein by an alleged criminal mafia with links to the state.
It remains a mystery if the reported suicide is linked to his name cropping up in the commission.
There were indications that Mthethwa will be summoned to answer to his alleged involvement.
Current police minister, Senzo Mchunu, has been placed on leave.
The Mthethwa family has been quoted as doubting the suicide.
A family spokesperson is quoted seeking answers to where the envoy’s security personnel were at the time of the alleged disappearance and subsequent death.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the circumstances of his death were under investigation by the French authorities.
“I have no doubt that his passing is not only a national loss but is also felt within the international diplomatic community,” the Minister for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Ronald Lamola said.
There was more mystery this week after the commission adjourned as a witness, another top cop, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo suddenly fell ill.
He felt unwell after arriving at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, venue of the commission hearings, where he was to continue testifying.
Rumours circulated, considering the explosive evidence he and fellow police generals have provided the commission.
There was even speculation he had been poisoned.
Such fears of poisoning at the venue that some police that have been providing evidence bring their own water to the venue.
National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, said Khumalo was receiving proper medical advice.
“The General’s health is receiving priority and the Madlanga Commission will be kept abreast of all developments pertaining to his condition as well as when he will be available to continue with his testimony.”
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga heads the commission set by President Cyril Ramaphosa, after Mkhwanazi made allegations of the “capture” of the state by crime masterminds, in July.
This week, on Wednesday, the East London Magistrate’s Court found Julius Malema, leader of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) , of illegal possession of a gun and firing it in public, in 2018.
He faces a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, among other possible sanctions.
A video emerged in 2018, at EFF’s fifth anniversary celebrations, depicting Malema, using a semi-automatic rifle to fire shots in the air.
The party is appealing.
Sentencing is in January 2026.
“We must not be deterred. We leave here highly determined. We are going to fight this up until the Constitutional Court,” he told supporters outside the court.
Activists and media consultants forecast disaster if Malema is jailed. He has previously been found guilty of hate speech but survived jail.
“If Malema is sentenced to jail, I foresee civil unrest in South Africa that could surpass the July 2021 Zuma riots,” he said.
“The EFF Youth Command will not take this lightly and disruptions in higher learning institutions across the country are almost certain.”
In 2021, deadly riots, which claimed over 300 lives, erupted when former president, Jacob Zuma, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for contempt of court.
The Democratic Alliance (DA), the largest partner of the African National Congress (ANC) in the coalition government, welcomed the verdict against Malema.
“This case is not simply about Malema’s conduct, but also about the culture of chaos, violence and criminality that the leader of the EFF embodies and promotes,” said Ian Cameron (MP), DA Deputy Spokesperson on Police.
– CAJ News