The saga involving Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina’s nationality took another twist on Wednesday after the Department of Home Affairs found that the person recorded as her mother may have committed fraud.
In a statement, the department said it had uncovered 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 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,” said the department.
This comes after Miss SA organisers approached the department with a request to verify Adetshina’s citizenship.
This request, according to the department, was accompanied by written consent from both Adetshina and her mother.
Upon receiving this request, the department said it deployed every resource at its disposal to establish the truth, including exploring archival research, visits to hospitals, and site visits to verify information.
“The department has broadened its investigation to identify and pursue any officials involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme, and is obtaining legal advice on the implications of the alleged fraudulent activity on Adetshina’s citizenship status.
“Upon the completion of the investigation, Home Affairs intends to press criminal charges against all implicated parties. There are ongoing engagements with all stakeholders, including Adetshina’s mother,” said the department.
Adetshina’s father was ostensibly Nigerian while the 23-year-old’s mother was believed to be from Mozambique.
Her nationality led to a debate over her eligibility to participate in the Miss South Africa pageant because her father is Nigerian.
“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,” said the department.
“Throughout this process, Home Affairs is guided by our commitment to both restoring and upholding the rule of law as well as the rights of all parties.”
Cape Times