The Department of Home Affairs has announced preparations to cancel the identity and travel documents of Chidimma Adetshina, a former Miss South Africa finalist, and her Mozambican-born mother, who may face fraud charges.
On Tuesday, the department briefed Parliament’s portfolio committee, announcing that the Hawks had taken over the inquiry.
This comes after Adetshina faced public criticism over her nationality when she proceeded to the Miss SA finals months ago.
Director General Tommy Makhode stated that neither Adetshina nor her mother had reacted by Monday’s deadline to offer reasons for keeping their South African passports.
Officials reportedly visited Adetshina’s registered address to locate her mother, who they believe remains in South Africa.
However, questions remain over her mother’s reported travel to Nigeria last month to support Adetshina, who won the Miss Universe Nigeria title.
Images from the event posted on social media suggest that Adetshina’s mother left South Africa during the investigation, despite no evidence of a passport showing travel from Mozambique to Nigeria.
Albert Matsaung, acting Deputy Director-General for immigration, stated, “We couldn’t find a trace of the passport she has been using to enter South Africa from Mozambique regarding her travel to Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, social media updates indicate that Adetshina recently departed from the U.S. to Mexico, where she’s representing Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant.
