The South African ambassador to France was found dead outside a high-rise hotel in Paris. The diplomat, who was 58, had been reported missing by their spouse after receiving a concerning text message. The body was discovered at the base of the Hyatt Regency hotel in the west of the city. Authorities confirmed that the ambassador had booked a room on the 22nd floor, and a secured window was reportedly forced open. French media suggested the death was a suicide, though this was unconfirmed by an official source. South Africa’s ministry of international relations called the death a “national loss” and confirmed that French authorities are investigating the circumstances. The ambassador had been appointed to the diplomatic post in December 2023 to strengthen ties between South Africa and France. A South African government minister stated that the passing is felt both nationally and within the international diplomatic community.
