Cape Town — Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, has weighed in on the controversy regarding the nationality of Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina.
Adetshina has been at the centre of attention over the past weeks as South Africans questioned whether or not she was eligible to compete in the Miss SA competition due to having a Nigerian father and South African mother with Mozambican roots.
Schreiber, speaking to Newzroom Afrika, said his department would not be dragged into rumours about Adetshina, saying that if Adetshina was born in South Africa, she is South African.
He said that in cases where there is public outcry against a specific individual, he prefers that Home Affairs not intervene in a manner that would violate the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
Schreiber added that no evidence has been presented regarding Adetshina’s nationality.
“If you have a complaint against someone, you bring prima facie evidence to our counter-corruption unit, and we will investigate the matter. That did not happen, there has not been a single complaint with actual evidence, not one. The only things we’ve received are people related to this individual saying ‘Can you please bring an end to this?'” he said.
He said the department is only investigating the matter under the consent of the person involved.
[WATCH] “There has not been a single complaint with actual evidence. We’re not gonna be dragged into rumours.” – Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber addresses the Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina’s
identity saga. He says the department won’t violate her privacy.… pic.twitter.com/2Xhx8vDcUk— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 5, 2024
Adethsina has drawn criticism from the Arts and Culthure Minister Gayton McKenzie over her nationality but has been defended by the likes of the EFF’s Naledi Chirwa and former public protector, Thuli Madonsela.
According to EWN, McKenzie, has however, said he would apologise if Adetshina was proven to be a legitimate South African citizen. He said that on the face of things, the situation appeared “dodgy”. He said as a leader, he would investigate the matter.
He added that if Adetshina were to advance to international pageants and she was not South African, it would be an embarrassment for South Africa.
“It’s going to be embarrassing for the country, and if she’s South African we must apologise – we the people, I’m one of them – if she thinks that we cast aspersions by asking, I will apologise. But I’m not going to be intimidated and say nothing because I’m a minister now.”
Whenever you avail yourself 2
represent South Africans, you are willingly opening yourself up for scrutiny, South Africans shouldn’t be shamed and accused simply because they are asking needed questions of the lady who wants to represent them as Miss South Africa.— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) August 6, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
