Home Affairs responds to allegations made by Nigeria pageant organisers
The head of Miss Universe Nigeria has accused South Africans of attempting to ‘sabotage’ Chidimma Adetshina because of her Nigerian heritage.
Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber appears to have responded to the Miss Universe Nigeria organisers, who allege that the investigation into Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship has been discontinued.
This comes days after the 23-year-old confirmed that she would be participating in the pageant, who extended an invitation to her after she pulled out of Miss SA.
Chidimma – whose father is Nigerian – has come under fire after the department alleged that her Mozambican mother committed fraud and identity theft when registering her birth.
MISS UNIVERSE NIGERIA OWNER MAKES BOLD CLAIMS ABOUT CHIDIMMA
Speaking to the Nigerian Arise News TV channel, Miss Universe Nigeria pageant owner Guy Murray-Bruce alleged that South Africans had victimised Chidimma Adetshina based on her Nigerian heritage.
He said: “We’re trying to help someone who has been abandoned. No fault of hers. She is a victim because she has a Nigerian father and a South African mother.”
He continued: “I spoke to her two days ago, and she [Chidimma] said that there was an investigation. I found out there was no claim whatsoever to that story. She is South African, and so is her mother”.
Murray-Bryce then alleged that Chidimma’s chances at Miss SA had been sabotaged.
“I don’t know if it was cooked up. It’s a bit twisted. She was doing so well in the pageant that they wanted to get her out. That’s how I see it,” he said.
Murray-Bryce added that Chidimma had a Nigerian passport and was entitled to participate in the competition.
“Her only crime was being half Nigerian, and that’s where the xenophobia comes in.”
“We don’t have xenophobia in Nigeria. We don’t practise that here.”
HOME AFFAIRS CLAPS BACK: ‘DON’T BELIEVE UNTRUTHS’
In a tweet on his official X account, Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber responded to the interview clip.
He tweeted: “The investigation into this matter is active and ongoing, and further updates will be provided only through official channels, including in parliament. Don’t fall for social media untruths”.
He added: “Instead, support #TeamHomeAffairs in our quest to restore law and order by upholding the rule of law.”