The controversy surrounding a contestant in the Miss South Africa pageant continues, as Chidimma Adetshina was criticized for her Nigerian origins when she reached the final phase of the competition.
After numerous episodes, she announced on Thursday August 8 that she was withdrawing from the race, in a post on social networks. She explained her withdrawal for “the safety and well-being of myself and my family.”
This decision comes on the heels of a new chapter in the controversy. On Wednesday August 7, the Department of Home Affairs announced its suspicion that the woman listed as her mother in her documents may have committed “fraud” in order to register the child and obtain South African nationality. In a press release, the South African Minister of Home Affairs stated that there was sufficient evidence to suggest that “fraud” and “identity theft” may have taken place 23 years ago. Under suspicion: the woman recognized as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother in official documents, as well as representatives of administrative services.
The Ministry has yet to complete its investigation. But it does not rule out the possibility that a South African child was prevented from being registered so that Chidimma Adetshina could be registered instead, 23 years ago.