By: Natasha Archary

Chidimma Adetshina’s claim to the Miss SA 2024 title hangs in the balance after a probe into her citizenship found prima facie evidence that her mother may have committed fraud and identity theft.
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.
Both Chidimma and her mother, whose identity has not been disclosed, consented to the investigation and the Department followed a meticulous route to verify the information.
This included archival research, visits to hospitals and site visits to verify information.
Findings of the investigation into the matter of Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship
What was uncovered in the investigation includes:
- Fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded in Home Affairs records, as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother.
- 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.
- An innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen as part of the alleged fraud committed by Chidimma’s mother, suffered as a result because she could not register her child
The Department has broadened its investigation to identify and pursue any officials involved in the alleged fraudulent activity on Chidimma’s citizenship status and implicated parties will face criminal charges upon completion of the investigation.
[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 23-year-old law student who claims she was born in Soweto, made the Top 16 of the pageant in June and has progressed to the final stage in the competition.
However, public outcry over her nationality has grown as she gets closer to the title and crown.
Chidimma’s surname caused a frenzy of xenophobic hate on social media, leaving the beauty contestant to question whether representing a country that she didn’t feel support from was worth it.
The Miss SA 2024 winner will be announced on Saturday, 10 August and it remains to be seen if Chidimma will withdraw from the contest in light of the findings thus far.
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