Cape Town – Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber says his department has found evidence suggesting identity theft involving Chidimma Adetshina’s mother, following concerns over her nationality during the Miss South Africa competition.
Adetshina’s father is reported as Nigerian, while her mother, believed to be from Mozambique, allegedly used a South African’s identity fraudulently.
Adetshina is participating in the forthcoming Miss South Africa competition.
Schreiber’s statement revealed that Adetshina’s mother allegedly stole the identity of an innocent South African.
He said that the Home Affairs Department is expanding its investigation to include any officials implicated in this fraud.
“The department 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,” he said
Schreiber said that the investigation’s ongoing nature is due to its expanded scope after initial information from Miss SA organisers prompted further scrutiny.
[MEDIA STATEMENT] Ongoing Home Affairs investigation finds Prima Facie indications of fraud committed by Chidimma Adetshina’s mother. #TeamHomeAffairs #DHAServiceDelivery @GCISMedia pic.twitter.com/X5Dy2fWjNW
— HomeAffairsSA 🇿🇦 (@HomeAffairsSA) August 7, 2024
The organisers had requested Home Affairs to verify Adetshina’s citizenship, with consent from both herself and her mother.
Schreiber said that, upon receiving the request, the department dedicated all available resources to uncover the truth.
“This has included archival research, visits to hospitals, and site visits to verify information.
“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,” Schreiber said.
He said the case underscores the need for Home Affairs’ digital modernisation amid ongoing legal challenges regarding blocked IDs.
“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 the law as well as the rights of all parties,’” the minister said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
