South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has revealed preliminary findings from an investigation into the nationality of beauty queen Chidinma Adetshina.
Chidimma, a model Nigerian heritage, was recently questioned over her eligibility to compete in the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant.
Her parents apparently met in Johannesburg in the late 1990s before moving to Pimville.
The 23-year-old’s nationality debate gathered traction on social media in July, shortly after she advanced to the round of 16.
In a statement issued on Monday, South African Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber stated that the government initiated an investigation after receiving official requests from Miss SA organisers to ask about Chidimma’s citizenship.
However, in a video and statement released late Wednesday, the DHA claimed Adetshina’s mother may have committed fraud and identity theft.
“From the information we have uncovered thus far, we 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.
“Adetshina could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother, as she was an infant in 2021 when the activities took place. An innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen as part of the fraud committed by Adetshina’s mother, suffered because she could not register her child.”
