Chidimma Adetshina, the controversial Miss South Africa contestant has withdrawn from the competition, citing concerns for her and her family’s safety and well-being. Her decision comes after a preliminary investigation by the Home Affairs Department revealed that her mother might have committed “identity theft” to acquire South African nationality.
In an Instagram post, Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, shared that she was born in Soweto and grew up in Cape Town. She clarified that her father is Nigerian, while her mother is a South African of Mozambican descent.
The controversy surrounding her heritage has sparked a social media debate about her South African identity. In response, the Miss South Africa pageant organizers requested an investigation by the Home Affairs Department.
The department’s statement on Wednesday indicated that while an “innocent” South African mother’s identity might have been stolen by Adetshina’s mother, Adetshina herself could not have participated in these actions as she was an infant at the time. The department is continuing its investigation, considering potential criminal charges and seeking legal advice on how the alleged fraud might affect Adetshina’s citizenship.
Adetshina did not address the investigation’s findings directly in her post but expressed her gratitude for the support she has received and wished the best for the remaining contestants. “Whoever wears the crown represents us all,” she concluded.
