Chidimma Adetshina, a contestant in the Miss South Africa pageant, has officially withdrawn from the competition following an investigation into her nationality.
Adetshina, who is of Nigerian and Mozambican descent but was born in South Africa to parents with South African residency status, announced her decision on Instagram on Thursday.
The controversy began earlier this week when the Department of Home Affairs confirmed suspicions of possible fraud and identity theft involving Adetshina’s mother. The investigation was initiated at the request of the Miss South Africa organizers, with full cooperation from Adetshina and her mother.
In a statement on Wednesday night, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber provided an update on the ongoing investigation. He stated, “Based on the information uncovered so far, there is preliminary evidence suggesting that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the individual listed in our records as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother.
“Adetshina herself could not have been involved in these alleged actions, as she was only an infant when the events occurred in 2001. Tragically, an innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen as part of this scheme, was unable to register her own child.”
