South Africa’s Home Affairs Claims Fraud by Mother of Miss SA Contestant Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina

Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina has been at the center of controversy due to questions surrounding her nationality. Now, a probe into her citizenship has led to accusations against her mother involving fraud and identity theft.

On Wednesday, August 7, the South African Department of Home Affairs announced preliminary findings from an investigation into Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship.

The investigation was prompted by social media users who urged the pageant organizers to disqualify Ms. Adetshina, alleging that she is not a South African citizen.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, on Monday, August 5, 2024, the event organizers requested verification of Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship. The request was accompanied by written consent from both Adetshina and her mother.

In its preliminary findings, the Department of Home Affairs revealed that it suspects the mother of Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina may have committed identity theft.

The statement, released on Wednesday night, August 7, reads: “There is prima facie evidence to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded in Home Affairs records as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother.”

However, the department noted that Adetshina could not have been involved in her mother’s alleged unlawful actions, as she was an infant 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 added.

See the full statement below.