The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) for South Africa has announced preliminary findings following an investigation into the nationality of beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina.
Chidimma, the model of Nigerian heritage, was recently subject to controversies over her eligibility to contest for this year’s Miss South Africa.
The 23-year-old was born in Soweto, South Africa. Her parents were said to have met in Johannesburg in the late 90s before they eventually settled in Pimville.
The controversy surrounding her nationality rapidly gained traction on social media platforms last month after she qualified for the round of 16.
Her participation in the pageant attracted harsh criticism, with some X users calling for her disqualification.
On August 5, Leon Schreiber, the minister of South African home affairs, said the department launched an investigation after receiving an official request from Miss SA organisers to inquire about Chidimma’s citizenship.
Schreiber said the request included consent from both Chidimma and her mother.
But in a statement late Wednesday, the DHA alleged that preliminary evidence suggests Adetshina’s mother may have committed fraud and identity theft.
The Home Affairs, however, said Chidimma, being a minor at the time of the alleged actions in 2001, was not involved in the fraudulent activities.
The statement revealed that a South African woman, whose “identity may have been stolen in the process, has suffered significant consequences, including the inability to register her child”.
“From the information we have uncovered thus far, the Department of Home Affairs can indicate that 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,” it reads in part.
“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 DHA said it has “broadened its investigation to identify and pursue any officials involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme, and is obtaining legal advice on the implications of the alleged fraudulent activity on Adetshina’s citizenship status”.
HOME AFFAIRS TO PRESS CRIMINAL CHARGES
“Upon the completion of the investigation, Home Affairs intends to press criminal charges against all implicated parties,” it added.
“There are ongoing engagements with all stakeholders, including Adetshina’s mother. This case, which stems from alleged fraudulent activities committed 23 years ago, highlights the urgent need for the digital modernisation of Home Affairs applications, adjudication and verification processes, to insulate the Department against fraudulent interference, similar to the reforms undertaken at the South African Revenue Service in the late 2000s.
“The case also highlights the reason for the Department’s blocking of certain duplicate IDs, and that the court-ordered unblocking of these documents must be handled with caution.
“Throughout this process, Home Affairs is guided by our commitment to both restoring and upholding the rule of the law as well as the rights of all parties.”
Chidimma is among the 10 women expected to participate in the Miss South Africa grand finale on August 10, 2024, in Pretoria. The winner will represent South Africa at this year’s Miss Universe pageant in Mexico.
