Ongoing Home Affairs investigation finds indications of fraud committed by Chidimma Adetshina’s mother

The Department of Home Affairs has issued an update on the ongoing investigation into the citizenship of Chidimma Adetshina, a contestant in the upcoming Miss SA event.

The investigation, initially prompted by a request from the event organizers, has expanded in scope due to significant findings by Home Affairs investigators.

On August 5, 2024, the Miss SA organizers formally requested the Department to verify Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship. This request included written consent from both Adetshina and her mother. In response, the Department launched a comprehensive investigation, utilizing all available resources, including archival research and site visits.

Must read: Chidimma Adetshina: The plot thickens as family secrets are revealed

Based on the evidence gathered thus far, the Department of Home Affairs has identified prima facie reasons to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the individual listed as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother in Home Affairs records.

Key findings include:

– Potential Fraud and Identity Theft: There is credible evidence suggesting that Chidimma Adetshina’s mother may have engaged in fraudulent activities and identity theft.

– Adetshina’s Innocence:Chidimma Adetshina could not have been involved in her mother’s alleged unlawful actions, as she was an infant at the time these activities occurred in 2001.

– Victim of Identity Theft: An innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen as part of the alleged fraud, was unable to register her child due to the fraudulent actions.

The Department has broadened its investigation to identify and pursue any officials who may have been involved in the fraudulent scheme. Legal advice is being sought to determine the implications of the alleged fraud on Adetshina’s citizenship status. Upon conclusion, Home Affairs plans to press criminal charges against all implicated parties.

Engagements with all stakeholders, including Adetshina’s mother, are ongoing. This case underscores the urgent need for digital modernization of Home Affairs applications, adjudication, and verification processes to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Department is committed to reforms akin to those implemented by the South African Revenue Service in the late 2000s.

The case also highlights the importance of the Department’s cautious approach to blocking certain duplicate IDs. Court-ordered unblocking of these documents must be managed with great care to prevent fraudulent activities.

Throughout this process, the Department of Home Affairs remains dedicated to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all parties involved. A final update will be provided once the investigation is concluded.

Must read: Chidimma Adetshina denies her alleged Nigerian father