South Africa’s late Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa will receive a Special Official Category 2 funeral, that will include ceremonial honours by the police.

JUST IN | President Cyril Ramaphosa has accorded former Minister of Police and South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, an Official Funeral Category Two. pic.twitter.com/p4jNKvE3BS

— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 8, 2025

This announcement was made by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli during a visit to the Mthethwa homestead in the KwaMthethwa area at KwaMbonambi, on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. Ntuli was accompanied by MECs and mayors.

Mthethwa died after falling from the 22nd floor of a hotel in Paris, last week. He will be laid to rest on Sunday.

Mourners continue to pay their respects to the family of Mthethwa.

Members of the provincial executive council of the African National Congress (ANC) and Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) were amongst those who visited the Mthethwa homestead.

It’s a hive of activity as people clean and paint the fence around the homestead.

Premier Ntuli hailed Mthethwa’s commitment to serving the country.

“He served our country diligently, with humility and we are happy to report that the President of the republic, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the funeral as a state funeral, a category 2 state funeral. Also, in the cabinet of KwaZulu-Natal today we were considering the communique. As a result, there is now a task team that comprises of national government, and also the provincial government, and other levels of government that is supposed to make preparations,” says Ntuli.

The Mthethwa family says preparations for the funeral are under way. Mthethwa’s brother, Khulekani Mthethwa says some family members will be making their way back from France, on Thursday.

RELATED VIDEO | Nathi Mthethwa | Repatriation expected on Thursday

“Preparations are going well because we can see that we will make the date that was set for Sunday. Those who went to accompany Nathi’s remains in France some of them are coming back this evening and others will be making their way back on tomorrow with the body and they will land, on Friday. There will be a delegation of family members that will go to Durban’s King Shaka international to welcome his remains and escort him to a funeral parlour in Richards Bay,” he says.

#PODCAST The family of the late Nathi Mthethwa – who died in Paris last week – are hoping to bury him this Sunday #sabcnews https://t.co/q0tDfAEZQ7 #sabckzn @salpatel786

— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) October 7, 2025

The ANC in the province plans to hold a memorial service, on Thursday. The presidency has announced that the national flag will fly at half-mast until after the funeral, on Sunday evening.

The body of Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa will be repatriated this week. Spokesperson of minister of international relations ⁦@Chrispin_JPhiri⁩ #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/xBZ5HwqL1F

— Sophie Mokoena (@Sophie_Mokoena) October 8, 2025

RELATED VIDEO | Nathi Mthethwa | Family hoping to bury him this Sunday