Home Affairs: Prima facie evidence of ID fraud by Adetshina's mother
The Department of Home Affairs has found prima facie evidence of fraud and identity theft by the mother of Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina.
The investigation was launched following a request by the pageant's organisers.
The 23-year-old law student, who has made it to the Top 11 for the 2024 pageant, has been a topic of intense debate on social media due to her nationality.
Adetshina was reportedly born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a mother of Mozambican descent, raising questions about her eligibility to compete in Miss SA.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said Adetshina's mother granted the department consent to conduct the investigation and share the results with the public.
While the investigation uncovered prima facie evidence of fraud, the department clarified that Adetshina could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother, as she was an infant at the time of the activities 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," thw minister said.
"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."
Schreiber added that 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 underscores 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," he added.
The Miss SA final is expected to take place during a ceremony at the Sun Bet Arena in Tshwane on Saturday.
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