The nationality dispute surrounding Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has sparked intense scrutiny in South Africa, where her citizenship status is under investigation.
Following her success in the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant, critics questioned her eligibility due to her Nigerian father and Mozambican mother.
The Department of Home Affairs launched an inquiry, suggesting possible “identity theft” on her mother’s part to secure South African citizenship.
This led to Adetshina’s withdrawal from the pageant in August, further fueling the controversy.
The Department is reportedly close to revoking her South African travel and identity documents, which could significantly impact her ability to travel and work.
Despite the setback, Adetshina, who is studying law, won the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria after an invitation from the organizers.
The controversy surrounding her identity led to a xenophobic backlash in South Africa, prompting Adetshina to tell the BBC she may need therapy to recover from the experience.
The Department of Home Affairs disclosed to a parliamentary committee on Tuesday that it would be revoking the beauty queen’s ID papers.
According to Tommy Makhode, the department’s director-general, Adetshina, and her mother missed a deadline to justify why they should retain their documents.
The revocation decision has since been referred to the Hawks, a police unit that handles serious crimes, which labeled the case as “fraud” and officials are now awaiting further instructions from prosecutors.
Following the initial announcement in August, the department clarified that Adetshina “could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother as she was an infant at the time.
Chidimma Adetshina has previously stated she was born in Soweto, South Africa.
After winning Miss Universe Nigeria, Adetshina told the BBC that she considers herself both “proudly South African” and “proudly Nigerian.
She recently arrived in Mexico to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition, scheduled for November 16, where she will compete alongside global contestants, including Mia le Roux, this year’s Miss South Africa winner.
