Afrigather Former Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina – who’s now a finalist on the Miss Universe Nigeria – has claimed that she is “combating” for her id amid an investigation by the Division of Residence Affairs (DHA) into her citizenship.
The 23-year-old – whose father is Nigerian – has landed within the African nation forward of the finale, which takes place subsequent weekend.
Chidimma’s Mozambican mom is accused of committing fraud and id theft when registering her beginning in South Africa in 2001.
CHIDIMMA HINTS AT INVESTIGATION INTO HER CITIZENSHIP
Talking in a radio interview with Rhythm 93.7FM Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina acknowledged that she was excited to be within the nation, the place she had been showered with consideration and affection by residents.
She additionally claimed that she had “manifested” her journey to Nigeria, which she final visited as a toddler.
Hinting on the investigation by Residence Affairs, Chidimma mentioned: “My identify has introduced lots of consciousness into this, however I don’t need it to come back in a adverse method as a result of as a lot as I’m nonetheless combating for my id, I’m nonetheless proudly South African and I’m nonetheless proudly Nigerian and it’s actually OK to be various.
“I would like folks to see that good aspect but in addition for us to begin acknowledging it and accepting it.”
Chidimma added that her mission was to advertise inclusion and variety.
She continued: “I’ll make a strong impression. There are lots of people who’re simply as various as I’m and I don’t need us to stay in a society or neighborhood the place we’re excluded due to the varied backgrounds we’ve got. I would like us to be included, to be celebrated, to be appreciated, cherished, and accepted.
“Me simply being right here, I’m not solely representing myself, however I’m representing lots of people who see themselves in me and are various of their tradition.”
WHAT HAS HOME AFFAIRS DISCOVERED THUS FAR?
Here’s what we all know up to now in regards to the progress within the DHA investigation into Chidimma Adetshina’s mother and father.
- Residence Affairs has recognized officers who have been concerned within the fraudulent registration of Chidimma’s beginning in 2001. One in every of them has since handed on. The others are below investigation.
- The lady whose id was allegedly stolen by Chidimma’s mom was registered by her personal mom in Tshwane in 1982.
- In 1995, she utilized for her ID. Nonetheless, she found that it had been issued at a Johannesburg department, which she had not visited.
- In 2001, the girl additionally gave beginning to a toddler. When making an attempt to register the kid’s beginning, she found {that a} baby was already registered below her ID quantity. That baby was registered as Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina.
- Residence Affairs has since visited each Chidimma’s mom and the girl whose id was allegedly stolen.
- Chidimma’s mom was issued with a Promotion of Administrative Justice Act letter. How she responds to it is going to decide the way in which ahead with regard to prosecution.
- Chidimma’s father was additionally allegedly concerned within the fraudulent registration of her beginning. It’s unclear if both he or Chidimma’s mom had legitimate documentation to be in South Africa.
- Chidimma’s ID and passport haven’t cancelled her identification pending the investigation; nonetheless, she may have journey restrictions imposed sooner or later.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
In line with an investigation by the DHA, they’re pursuing authorized recommendation within the investigation in opposition to Chidimma’s mother and father. This includes the help of the Directorate for Precedence Crime Investigation (Hawks).
The DHA has revealed that it has since issued Chidimma’s mother and father with a Promotion of Administrative Justice Act letter.
The investigation into verifying each Chidimma’s mother and father’ citizenship standing continues. If their everlasting residency or citizenship is deemed fraudulent, then this will likely render them unlawful overseas nationals.
