News24 | Mthethwa to be buried on Sunday according to tradition of his rural community, ANC says

Ambassador Emmanuel Nkosinathi 'Nathi' Mthethwa was found dead on Tuesday 30 September 2025.

• Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa’s body is expected to land at the OR Tambo International Airport on Friday.
• KwaMthethwa custom dictates that he be buried on a Sunday, according to ANC officials.
• The ANC also “expects” a state funeral for Mthethwa.

Ambassador Nathi Mthethwa will be be buried on Sunday in line with the traditional practices of the KwaMthethwa community, where burials are usually held on that day.

This is according to the ANC’s Musa Dladla regional task team deputy convener, Phiwe Mhlongo, who is the contact link between the ANC and the Mthethwa family.

News24 understands that the Shembe church has a strong influence in the community of Mbonambi in KwaZulu-Natal.

Mthethwa died under mysterious circumstances in a hotel in Paris. His death has prompted speculation that it could’ve been a suicide or that there was foul play.

In an interview with News24, Mhlongo said that whenever there was a funeral in the area, it took place on a Sunday.

“Most burials are done on a Sunday. It’s their customs that side. That’s how they do things,” he added.

“I think it’s their culture. They grew up doing it like that. Just on Sunday, there was another funeral there.”

READ | ‘Disinformation mill’ at work around Nathi Mthethwa’s death, says friend Malusi Gigaba

Mhlongo said the body would arrive at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday and would then be flown to the King Shaka International Airport in Durban.

Before his death, the former Cabinet minister Pravin Gordhan arranged so that his body could be flown in an SAA plane from Johannesburg to Durban.

Asked if Mthethwa would get similar treatment, Mhlongo said: “We don’t know that. For now, those are the only details we can confirm. The times of arrival at OR Tambo and King Shaka, we’re not sure yet.

“Probably later today, we will get that information from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation [about when the body arrives]. The latest might be tomorrow.”

Asked if he’s aware of a state funeral Mthethwa may be afforded by the Presidency, Mhlongo said: “We are expecting that, but for now we haven’t heard anything from Dirco or the Presidency.”

Meanwhile, the provincial executive council, led by Premier Thami Ntuli, will visit the Mthethwa family to pay their last respects on Wednesday afternoon.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula postponed his visit on Wednesday for a second time.