Miss SA 2024 Finalist Chidimma Adetshina’s Mother Faces Arrest
The mother of Miss SA 2024 finalist Chidimma Adetshina is facing possible arrest after the Department of Home Affairs discovered evidence suggesting fraud and identity theft. This revelation follows an update on the investigation into Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship.
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The Department of Home Affairs’ Findings
In a statement released on Wednesday night, the Department of Home Affairs announced that Adetshina’s mother allegedly stole the identity of a South African citizen.
“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,” the department said in a statement.
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Chidimma Adetshina Cleared of Involvement
However, the department has clarified that Adetshina herself, who was an infant in 2001, could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother.
“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 statement further reads.
The investigation was prompted by a request from the Miss SA pageant organizers to verify Adetshina’s citizenship, which she and her mother consented to. The department’s probe involved archival research, hospital visits, and site visits to verify the information.
“Upon receiving this request, the department deployed every resource at its disposal to establish the truth. This included archival research, visits to hospitals, and site visits to verify information,” the department said.
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Chidimma Adetshina’s Mother, Home Affairs Official Face Arrest
The department has now stated that it is pursuing any of its officials who may have facilitated the fraudulent registration of Adetshina’s mother as a South African citizen.
“The investigation has been broadened to identify and pursue any officials involved in the fraudulent scheme, with legal advice being sought on the implications for Adetshina’s citizenship status,” part of the statement reads.
Upon completion of the investigation, the Department of Home Affairs intends to press criminal charges against Adetshina’s mother and any other implicated parties.