'Mthethwa was not depressed' – Paul Mashatile urges nation to wait for investigation to conclude
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged caution regarding speculations about Nathi Mthethwa’s death.
Speaking at Mthethwa’s funeral, which was held at KwaMbonambi, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday, Mashatile said the nation should take note that the investigation into the ANC veteran’s death was still ongoing.
The former Police and Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister was found dead at the Hyatt Hotel in Paris after falling from the 22nd floor on September 30. His remains landed at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Friday morning.
According to AFP, a French prosecutor provided the preliminary conclusion of the French authorities: “Initial investigations suggest that this could have been a deliberate act, without the intervention of a third party,” she said, while emphasising the investigation would seek to collect all the details.
“I know there are a lot of speculations going around, but I think it’s important that we await the investigations to be finished,” said Mashatile.
“We urge the authorities to do a proper and thorough investigation so that the family can have closure.”
He went on to say he, along with the nation, wants to know what really happened.
“As far as we’re concerned, Nyambose was not a comrade who was depressed. In fact, a week before his death, he was involved in cultural activity and dancing. So, it came as a shock to us when we were told that he took his own life.”
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola revealed that the team of detectives that were going to be sent to France to help in the investigation had been cut from five to one officer.
“About sending a delegation to France, we are working on a police-to-police cooperation. We have a senior officer working in that country.
“We are just going there to receive a first-hand report. And, of course, ask questions and be taken through certain things. From there, we return to the problem. That was appropriate in my view,” Masemola said.
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