Mthethwa died under mysterious circumstances in Paris at the age of 58.
His body was found at the Hyatt Hotel where according to reports he died from a fall from the 22nd storey of the hotel.
French police are investigating.
French police probe Nathi Mthethwa’s death
In a statement issued by McKenzie, he says, “Mr. Mthethwa served with distinction as Minister of Arts and Culture from May 2014 to May 2019, before taking on the expanded portfolio of Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture until 2023. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the promotion and preservation of South Africa’s rich cultural heritage.”
McKenzie adds, “I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Mthethwa on several occasions during his service as South Africa’s Ambassador to France. He was collegial, generous with his time, and deeply insightful in his engagements—qualities that defined him as a true gentleman and servant of the people.”
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/bold-white-text-reads-breaking-news-on-a-black-background-with-the-mtl-blog-logo-underneath.png?id=60300348&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=96%2C0%2C96%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>A 9-year-old girl from Montreal has been found dead in upstate New York, and her father is now facing murder charges in connection with her death.</p><p>According to <a href="https://troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-investigate-death-missing-child?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">New York State Police</a>, Melina Frattolin, 9, was reported missing on the night of Saturday, July 20, near Lake George, New York. Her father, 45-year-old Luciano Frattolin, was taken into custody on Monday. </p><p>While driving back to Montreal from New York City, Frattolin called police just before 10 p.m. Saturday, claiming his daughter had been abducted. He said he stopped near Lake George to use the bathroom, and when he returned, she was missing and a suspicious white van was seen leaving the area.</p><p>However, investigators say surveillance footage and inconsistencies in Frattolin's account led them to question the story. Police later discovered Melina's body in a remote area in Ticonderoga, about 50 kilometres northeast of Lake George. Frattolin was charged with murder after Melina's body was discovered on Sunday.</p><p>"This is certainly a difficult case, a heartbreaking investigation," Robert McConnell, NYSP captain, said at a Monday press conference, as per <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/crime/2025/07/21/melina-frattolin-found-dead-father-luciano-frattolin-charged/85305645007/" target="_blank">USA TODAY</a>. "On behalf of the New York State Police and our law enforcement partners, I want to offer our condolences to the family of Melina."</p><p>According to a <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/11296404/missing-canadian-girl-death-new-york-state/" target="_blank">Global News report</a>, the pair had entered the U.S. on July 11 for a vacation that included stops in Connecticut and New York City before arriving in upstate New York on Saturday. Around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, <a href="https://abc7.com/post/father-luciano-frattolin-charged-murder-9-year-old-daughter-upstate-ny-kidnapping-hoax-officials-say/17227280/" target="_blank">Melina had spoken with her mother on the phone</a>. She told her she was on her way home to Montreal.</p><p>Frattolin was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. He is currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in New York pending arraignment.</p><p><em>This is a developing story. Check back for more details.</em></p>
The Trump administration is tearing up an Obama-era policy barring public schools participating in the National School Lunch Program from offering whole and 2% milk…
