Taking a swipe at home affairs? Chidimma claims she’s ‘fighting for identity’

Former Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina, now a finalist in Miss Universe Nigeria, has stated that she is “fighting” for her identity as the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) investigates her citizenship.

The 23-year-old – whose father is Nigerian –  has landed in the African country ahead of the finale, which takes place next weekend.

Chidimma’s Mozambican mother is accused of committing fraud and identity theft when registering her birth in South Africa in 2001.

CHIDIMMA HINTS AT INVESTIGATION INTO HER CITIZENSHIP

Speaking in a radio interview with Rhythm 93.7FM Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina stated that she was excited to be in the country, where she had been showered with attention and affection by citizens.

She also claimed that she had “manifested” her trip to Nigeria, which she last visited as a toddler.

Hinting at the investigation by Home Affairs, Chidimma said: “My name has brought a lot of awareness into this, but I don’t want it to come in a negative way because as much as I am still fighting for my identity, I am still proudly South African and I am still proudly Nigerian and it’s really OK to be diverse. 

“I want people to see that good side but also for us to start acknowledging it and accepting it.”

Chidimma added that her mission was to promote inclusion and diversity.

She continued: “I will make a powerful impact. There are a lot of people who are just as diverse as I am and I don’t want us to live in a society or community where we are excluded because of the diverse backgrounds we have. I want us to be included, to be celebrated, to be appreciated, loved, and accepted.

“Me just being here, I am not only representing myself, but I am representing a lot of people who see themselves in me and are diverse in their culture.”

WHAT HAS HOME AFFAIRS DISCOVERED THUS FAR?

Here is what we know so far about the progress in the DHA  investigation into Chidimma Adetshina’s parents.

• Home Affairs has identified officials who were involved in the fraudulent registration of Chidimma’s birth in 2001. One of them has since passed on. The others are under investigation.
• The woman whose identity was allegedly stolen by Chidimma’s mother was registered by her own mother in Tshwane in 1982. 
• In 1995, she applied for her ID. However, she discovered that it had been issued at a Johannesburg branch, which she had not visited. 
• In 2001, the woman also gave birth to a child. When attempting to register the child’s birth, she discovered that a child was already registered under her ID number. That child was registered as Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina.
• Home Affairs has since visited both Chidimma’s mother and the woman whose identity was allegedly stolen.
• Chidimma’s mother was issued with a Promotion of Administrative Justice Act letter.  How she responds to it will determine the way forward with regard to prosecution.
• Chidimma’s father was also allegedly involved in the fraudulent registration of her birth. It’s unclear if either he or Chidimma’s mother had valid documentation to be in South Africa.
• Chidimma’s ID and passport have not cancelled her identification pending the investigation; however, she could have travel restrictions imposed in the future.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

According to an investigation by the DHA, they are pursuing legal advice in the investigation against Chidimma’s parents. This involves the assistance of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

The DHA has revealed that it has since issued Chidimma’s parents with a Promotion of Administrative Justice Act letter. 

The investigation into verifying both Chidimma’s parents’ citizenship status continues. If their permanent residency or citizenship is deemed fraudulent, then this may render them illegal foreign nationals.