JOHANNESBURG - France's ambassador to South Africa says French authorities have closed their investigation into the death of former South African ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, after concluding that he died by suicide.
Mthethwa died in September last year after falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris.
Speaking on the matter, French Ambassador David Martinon said the findings were communicated to Mthethwa's widow and that there would be no further investigation.
"The French judicial police concluded quite quickly that he unfortunately committed suicide. And that was reported to his widow," Martinon said.
He also said diplomatic relations between France and South Africa remain strong.
He confirmed that France has approved South Africa's newly appointed ambassador to France and that the two have already begun engaging ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa's upcoming visit to France.
Martinon said the new ambassador is an experienced diplomat, and he looks forward to working closely with her.