The Department of Home Affairs says its investigation, so far, has found that the mother of Miss SA contestant, Chidimma Adetshina, may have stolen someone’s identity.
“Prima facie reasons exist to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded in Home Affairs records as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday night.
However, the department added that Adetshina could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother because she was an infant in 2001.
“An innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen as part of the alleged fraud committed by Adetshina’s mother, suffered as a result because she could not register her child.
Adetshina’s participation in the pageant was met with backlash when some people learned that her father was Nigerian. It caused division among many, with some saying she was not suitable to represent the country, while others argued that, because she was born in SA, it made her a legitimate citizen.
The department said it had on Monday received a request from Miss SA pageant organisers to verify the citizenship of Adetshina, which was accompanied by written consent from both Adetshina and her mother.
The investigation found that Adetshina’s mother may have committed fraud by stealing someone’s identity.
“Upon receiving this request, the department deployed every resource at its disposal to establish the truth. This included archival research, visits to hospitals, and site visits to verify information,” the department said.
“The department has broadened its investigation to identify and pursue any officials involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme, and is obtaining legal advice on the implications of the alleged fraudulent activity on Adetshina’s citizenship status. Upon the completion of the investigation, the department intends to press criminal charges against all implicated parties.”
The department said there were ongoing engagements with all stakeholders, including Adetshina’s mother.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the alleged fraud from 23 years ago highlighted the urgent need for the digital modernisation of home affairs applications, adjudication and verification processes, to insulate the department against fraudulent interference, similar to the reforms undertaken at the South African Revenue Service in the late 2000s.
“The case also highlights the reason for the department’s blocking of certain duplicate IDs, and that the court-ordered unblocking of these documents must be handled with caution.
“Throughout this process, the home affairs department is guided by our commitment to both restoring and upholding the rule of law as well as the rights of all parties,” he said.
