Nathi Mthethwa, the former South African police minister, passed away in a hotel in Paris, France, leaving behind a legacy marred by significant controversies and unanswered allegations. His death was confirmed by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, which stated that “the circumstances of his untimely death are under investigation by the French authorities.” Media reports indicated that Mthethwa was discovered at the base of the Hyatt Regency hotel in the western district of the French capital.

Mthethwa, who was no stranger to public scrutiny, served as Police Minister under former president Jacob Zuma and later as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture under President Cyril Ramaphosa before being appointed as ambassador to France. Throughout his career, he faced numerous accusations of misconduct and political interference, many of which remained unresolved at the time of his passing.

One of the most prominent allegations involved political interference during his tenure as police boss. Just a week before his death, Kwa-Zulu Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi testified at the Madlanga commission, accusing Mthethwa of pressuring former Inspector-General of Intelligence, Faith Radebe, in 2021 to withdraw a criminal case against former crime intelligence chief Richard Mdluli. Mdluli was implicated in abusing the police's secret slush fund between 2008 and 2012, reportedly using it for private trips and personal occupancy of police safe houses. Mkhwanazi vehemently described this incident as the “worst political interference” he had ever experienced. Although the case was initially dropped, it resurfaced, leading to Mdluli's arrest and corruption charges by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption last year, with the trial currently underway.

Furthermore, Mthethwa was implicated in the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, where he was accused of being complicit in the misappropriation of crime intelligence funds for personal gain. Crime intelligence officer Dhanajaya Naidoo provided crucial testimony, alleging that the secret service account was used to purchase a Mercedes Benz for Mthethwa in Durban in 2019. Naidoo stated that Mthethwa used the vehicle for only a few months before requesting its return to crime intelligence, citing fears of being followed by journalists. The car was subsequently transferred to Cape Town for Mdluli's use. Naidoo also testified that nearly R200,000 from the same secret service account was spent on constructing a wall at Mthethwa's Kwa-Zulu Natal residence, an instruction purportedly issued by Mdluli. Following these allegations, Mthethwa instructed his legal team to initiate defamation proceedings.

Even in his subsequent role as Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mthethwa's term was fraught with controversy. In 2021, a widespread #NathiMustGo campaign was launched by South African artists and citizens, who accused him of neglecting the sector during the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The following year, he faced calls for resignation after proposing the controversial erection of a R22 million giant flag at Freedom Park. His death marks the end of a contentious political career, leaving many questions surrounding his involvement in various scandals unanswered.