Home Affairs: Chidimma’s mother allegedly stole a South African woman’s identity
Home Affairs asserts that Chidimma Adetshina could not have been involved in her mother’s alleged fraudulent activity to register her birth in 2001.
The Department of Home Affairs claims that the mother of Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina might have committed fraud and identity theft to register her daughter’s birth.
The department confirmed this on Wednesday, 8 August, following a request by the Miss SA organisation to probe Adetshina’s legal status in the country.
HOME AFFAIRS PROVIDES UPDATE ON CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA’S LEGAL STATUS
The South African previously reported that the 23-year-old was born in Soweto, Gauteng, and according to the Miss SA organisation, she met all the requirements for the beauty pageant.
For over two weeks, Adetshina has been topping social media trends and has been a victim of cyberbullying as social media users questioned her right to represent South Africa as her father hails from Nigeria while her mother is reportedly from Mozambique.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Women for Change, and the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) are some of the organisations that have defended Chidimma Adetshina against social media trolls.
In a statement, Home Affairs said there is prima facie indications that the person registered as Adetshina’s mother may have committed fraud and identity theft. As a result, a South African woman whose identity may have been stolen could not register her child.
“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,” the department clarified.
Further, the department 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 Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship.
“Upon the completion of the investigation, Home Affairs intends to press criminal charges against all implicated parties. There are ongoing engagements with all stakeholders, including Adetshina’s mother,” the department said.
MINISTER WANTS PAGEANT TO BE REGULATED
Meanwhile, Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has called for the Miss SA pageant to be regulated by the government and not a private entity.
In an interview with eNCA, McKenzie said Miss SA does not fall under his department.
“If you use the country’s name, there should be some regulation. It needs to be regulated. Once you’re Miss SA, you represent the country,” he said.