The Department of Home Affairs has provided a significant update on the investigation into the alleged identity fraud involving Chidimma Adetshina, a former Miss South Africa contestant.
Story Summary:
- Home Affairs reveals new findings in the ongoing investigation of Chidimma Adetshina’s alleged identity fraud.
- The department is examining the implications of the fraud on Adetshina’s citizenship status.
- Adetshina’s participation in Miss Universe Nigeria has stirred controversy amid these revelations.
What Home Affairs revealed about Chidimma Adetshina
The department’s probe has uncovered potential fraud linked to Adetshina’s mother, who allegedly stole the identity of an innocent South African woman.
This identity theft, which dates back to 2001, allowed Adetshina to be registered under a false ID number.
According to Advocate Constance Moitse, head of the counter-corruption unit, the investigation has reached an advanced stage.
The department has identified officials involved in the fraudulent registration of Adetshina’s birth, including one who has since passed away.
Two other officials are currently under scrutiny.
The department also visited the addresses listed for both Adetshina’s mother and the victim of the identity theft, confirming the accuracy of their records.
Home Affairs has issued a Promotion of Administrative Justice Act letter to Adetshina’s mother, demanding a response that will influence the final decision regarding her current ID.
The investigation now includes the Hawks, signalling the seriousness of the case.
The implications of this investigation are significant.
The Department of Home Affairs is seeking legal advice on how the alleged fraudulent activities might affect Adetshina’s citizenship status.
Should the investigation confirm the identity fraud, Adetshina could face severe consequences, including the potential loss of her South African citizenship.
Chidimma makes waves at Miss Universe Nigeria
Amid the controversy surrounding her citizenship status, Chidimma Adetshina has made headlines by accepting an invitation to compete in the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.
This move has raised eyebrows, given the ongoing investigation into her alleged identity fraud.
Adetshina announced her participation in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant through a video statement posted last week, where she expressed her excitement.
“I have received an invitation from the Silverbird Group, who are the organisers of the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. I say this with great excitement because I have decided to accept the invitation,” she said.
The invitation from Miss Universe Nigeria came after the organisation closely followed the fallout from Adetshina’s withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant, which, in the end, was won by the country’s first-ever hearing-impaired queen, Mia le Roux.
Despite the controversy, the Silverbird Group believes that Adetshina has much to offer in the world of pageantry and extended their support for her to represent Nigeria.
However, her participation has been met with mixed reactions, with many questioning whether she should compete amid such serious allegations.
The outcome of the Home Affairs investigation could have a profound impact on her future in pageantry.
