The mother of Chidimma Adetshina, whose participation in the Miss South Africa pageant has caused controversy, has been accused of identity theft.
Recall that Adetshina, 23, had claimed to be born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a Mozambique mother and is now a naturalised South African.
According to the South African Citizenship Act, an individual automatically qualifies for citizenship if they are born in South Africa, if at least one of their parents is a South African citizen, or if a South African permanent residency permit holder or a South African citizen adopts them.
ALSO READ: Nigerian Man Jailed In South Africa For Human Trafficking, Running Brothel
The Department of Home Affairs for South Africa had launched an investigation into the authenticity of her citizenship on the request of the pageant organisers after citizens of the country opposed her participation in the pageant.
It has now announced preliminary findings saying, “From the information we have uncovered thus far, the Department of Home Affairs 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 at the time when the activities took place in 2001; an innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen as part of the alleged fraud committed by Adetshina’s mother, suffered as a result because she could not register her child.”
The Department said it has expanded its investigation into Ms Adetshina’s citizenship to identify and prosecute any officials involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme.
It added that it is seeking legal counsel to determine the impact of the alleged fraud on the Ms Adetshina’s citizenship status.
ALSO READ: Eight Nigerians Arrested In South Africa For Attacking Policemen During Drug Raid
“Home Affairs intends to press criminal charges against all implicated parties upon completing the investigation. There are ongoing engagements with all stakeholders, including Adetshina’s mother. This case, which stems from alleged fraudulent activities committed 23 years ago, highlights the urgent need for the digital modernisation of Home Affairs applications, adjudication and verification processes to insulate the Department against fraudulent interference, similar to the reforms undertaken at the South African Revenue Service in the late 2000s.
“The case also highlights the reason for the Department’s blocking of certain duplicate IDs and that the court-ordered unblocking of these documents must be handled with caution. Throughout this process, Home Affairs is guided by our commitment to both restoring and upholding the rule of law and the rights of all parties”, the statement added.
Adetshina is a contestant in the Miss South Africa pageant, which will be held on Saturday at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
