Department of Home Affairs Investigates Citizenship of Miss South Africa Contestant Chidinma Adetshina
The Department of Home Affairs has released preliminary findings following an investigation into the citizenship of Chidinma Adetshina, a contestant in the Miss South Africa pageant.
Chidinma’s citizenship sparked a social media uproar, with some calling for her disqualification, alleging she is not South African.
Chidinma, who has a Nigerian father and a mother with Mozambican roots, was born in South Africa. She is one of the ten finalists competing in the event set to take place in Pretoria this Saturday.
On Monday, August 5, 2024, the event organizers requested the Department of Home Affairs to verify Chidinma Adetshina’s citizenship.
Read |Â Home Affairs for South Africa release preliminary findings on Chidimma Adetshina citizenship
This request was accompanied by written consent from both Adetshina and her mother.
In response to critics questioning Chidinma’s qualifications, the Department of Home Affairs has made the following allegations in their preliminary findings:
- There are prima facie reasons to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded as Chidinma Adetshina’s mother in Home Affairs records.
- Adetshina was not involved in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother, as she was a child in 2001 when these activities occurred.
- An innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen as part of the alleged fraud, was unable to register her child as a result.
- The Department has expanded its investigation to identify and pursue any officials involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme. It seeks legal advice on the implications of the alleged fraudulent activity on Adetshina’s citizenship status.
- Home Affairs intends to press criminal charges against all implicated parties upon completing the investigation.
Read |Â New Home Affairs Minister Declares War on Illegal Immigration in South Africa!
The Department of Home Affairs is in ongoing discussions with all stakeholders, including Adetshina’s mother.
They emphasized the importance of adopting digital methods for applications and verification processes to prevent fraud, similar to reforms made by the South African Revenue Service in the late 2000s.
This case also highlights the necessity for the department to block certain duplicate IDs and handle court orders to unblock these documents with caution.
Throughout this process, the Department of Home Affairs remains committed to upholding the rule of law and the rights of all parties involved.
Help find missing child |Â Mystery Deepens: As A Nine-Year-Old girl Vanishes Without a Trace in Pietermaritzburg!
Background of the Controversy:
Chidinma Adetshina’s participation in the Miss South Africa pageant has been contentious, with some questioning her eligibility.
Hailing from Pimville, Soweto, Chidinma’s nationality became a trending topic on social media after she reached the top 16 stage.
Some social media users demanded her removal from the contest, arguing she is not South African.
The Miss South Africa 2024 pageant, the 66th edition, will conclude on Saturday, August 10, 2024, in Pretoria.
According to the pageant’s website, eligible contestants must be South African citizens with a valid South African passport. Applicants holding dual citizenship must provide details of both.
The eligibility of Chidinma Adetshina remains under scrutiny. The reigning Miss South Africa, Natasha Joubert from Gauteng, will crown her successor at the event’s conclusion, and the winner will represent South Africa in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico.
Following this latest development from the Department of Home Affairs, it is uncertain what will happen next regarding Chidinma’s participation in the pageant.
Leave a Reply