The Department of Home Affairs has made a significant move to revoke the South African identity and travel documents of former Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina and her mother, according to a report from The Citizen. The decision comes after an investigation by the department’s counter corruption and security services, revealing potential issues with how the documents were acquired.
On Tuesday, Home Affairs officials presented their findings before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee, where director-general Tommy Makhode stated that the investigation has now reached the Hawks, formally known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). “They have concluded that investigation according to [Hawks head] General [Godfrey] Lebeya, they are now waiting for the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] to advise them on the next steps,” he explained.
Makhode added that Adetshina and her mother failed to respond by the October 28 deadline to defend their documentation. “As of yesterday, we have not received any response and, therefore, the department will be proceeding with the withdrawal of those documents in line with the Identification Act,” he confirmed. Fraud charges may follow, he said, noting, “It’s a case of fraud that’s been reported that the Hawks are pursuing against both the mom and herself.”
Albert Matsaung, acting deputy director-general for immigration at Home Affairs, shared further details with MPs about attempts to locate Adetshina’s mother, including a visit to a property linked to her. However, the mother could not be located. “When we check on the movement control register, the information that we have got still confirms the mother to be in the country,” Matsaung noted.
One puzzling aspect is how Adetshina reportedly traveled to Nigeria last month for the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant despite no official records showing her departure. Photos on social media even appear to show her mother in Nigeria, a presence that immigration officials could not trace. “The facial looks of the person who was on stage and the profile of the mother were compared to be the same, but we couldn’t find a trace of the passport that she has been using,” Matsaung said.
As the investigations continue, Adetshina has been active on social media, with recent posts indicating her travels to the United States. She is set to compete in the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico on November 16.
