By: Natasha Archary

Chidimma Adetshina has withdrawn herself from the Miss South Africa 2024 contest, just 2 days before this year’s winner will be announced.
In a statement issued on her Instagram account on Thursday, 08 August the 23-year-old law student said she decided to withdraw from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of herself and her family.
Her decision to withdraw comes shortly after the Department of Home Affairs probe into her citizenship found prima facie evidence that her mother may have committed fraud and identity theft to secure Chidimma’s South African nationality.
Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber shared the findings with the public on Wednesday evening, 07 August and said the investigation has broadened since receiving the request from the organisers of Miss SA to put the matter to rest.
As a result of Chidimma’s mother’s alleged actions, an innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen, suffered as a result because she could not register her child.
The Department’s probe noted that Chidimma could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time when the actions took place in 2001.
Chidimma’s journey in the Miss SA 2024 pageant was marred after her surname sparked outrage and calls for a petition to remove her from the pageant were launched.
The divorced, single mother who made headlines last week after videos of her traditional wedding to a Nigerian man, identified as King Sefo were shared, said she leaves the contest with a heart full of gratitude.
“I would like to start by thanking everyone who has stood beside me right from the start of my Miss South Africa journey. I’m really grateful for all the love and support I have been shown.
Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey however, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I.
With the support of the Miss South Africa Organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.”
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