The Miss South Africa beauty pageant has been hit by a controversy involving one of its finalists, Chidimma Adetshina.
The 23-year-old’s nationality is being questioned after the Department of Home Affairs suggested that her mother might have committed identity fraud.
On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, the Department of Home Affairs released a statement saying they suspect Adetshina’s mother of altering records illegally, which has raised issues about Chidimma’s citizenship status.
Social media users in South Africa have been calling for her disqualification, claiming she isn’t a legitimate South African citizen.
On August 5, the pageant organizers had asked the Department of Home Affairs to verify Chidimma’s citizenship, with consent from both Adetshina and her mother.
The investigation indicated that Adetshina’s mother might have committed fraud and identity theft. However, Adetshina herself, being a minor at the time, was not involved.
It was also found that a South African woman, whose identity was allegedly stolen in the process, has faced significant problems, including being unable to register her own child.
The investigation has now expanded to identify any officials who might be involved, and the Department is seeking legal advice on the impact this has on Adetshina’s citizenship.
“Prima facie reasons exist to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded in Home Affairs records as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother,” said Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber.
“Throughout this process, we are guided by our commitment to restore and uphold the rule of law as well as the rights of all parties.”
“Adetshina could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother, as she was an infant at the time when the activities took place in 2001.
“An innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen as part of the alleged fraud committed by Adetshina’s mother, suffered as a result because she could not register her child.”
The investigation aims to determine the truth and hold those responsible accountable. Criminal charges are expected once the investigation is complete.
The Miss South Africa organizers have not yet commented on the issue, but they previously stated that Chidimma Adetshina, a law student, holds both a South African ID and passport and meets all eligibility criteria.
Adetshina, who will compete in the Miss South Africa finals this weekend, had told local media that she was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent.
South Africa grants citizenship to anyone born in the country after 1995, and Adetshina was born in 2001.
Chidimma’s participation in the beauty pageant has sparked anti-foreigner sentiment, with debates raging on social media and talk shows.
Some people support her, while others argue she should be disqualified because of her Nigerian ties.
One of the loudest critics is Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, who defended the right to question her citizenship.
Chidimm Adetshina’s eligibility remains a hot topic as the Miss South Africa pageant approaches its 66th edition on August 10, 2024.
The winner will represent South Africa at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico.
KanyiDaily recalls that Gayton McKenzie had said that Nigerians should not be allowed to compete in the Miss SA pageant.
