Chidimma Adetshina and her mother’s IDs and passports to be taken away
South African-born Chidimma Adetshina was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria on 31 August at the Ecko Convention Centre in Victoria Island in Lagos.
Chidimma Adetshina won Miss Universe Nigeria after withdrawing from Miss South Africa for ‘safety reasons’ amid her eligibility woes.
CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA AND HER MOTHER’S IDS AND PASSPORTS ARE SET TO BE TAKEN AWAY
The 23-year-old hogged headlines when she revealed that she was born to a South African mother (Zulu) of Mozambican descent and a Nigerian father.
Her participation became a national debate, and the Home Affairs Department had to clarify the matter.
However, the department found prima facie evidence to believe that Adetshina’s mother, a Mozambican, “may have committed fraud” in 2001. Against the investigation, she withdrew from Miss SA, citing safety concerns.
However, despite withdrawing, she was invited to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, which she later won.
Against the backdrop of Chidimma Adetshina’s win, Mzansi has been trying to connect the dots on how the 23-year-old and her mother managed to travel to Nigeria while under investigation.
However, the Department of Home Affairs has since shed more light on the case under investigation.
The department claims to have issued Promotion of Administrative Justice Act letters to bother Chidimma Adetshina and her mother. “This step is before the IDs and passports can be retrieved.
“The owners of these documents can use them until they have been withdrawn by the department,” Home Affairs spokesperson Duwayne Esau said.
Confirmed reports have it that the Hawks have taken over the investigation. During one of her recent interviews, Chidimma Adetshina revealed that she might not return to South Africa.
She made known that she was enjoying her stay in Nigeria. The newly crowned Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Vannesa Adetshina, recently opened up about her woes leading to her big win.
WITHDRAWING FROM MISS SA
The 23-year-old revealed that the outcry of her competing in the Miss South Africa pageant all started with her name.
“South Africans felt like I was not South African enough because of my name, and it was really hard to see.
“It was a very horrible experience, and I would not wish it on anybody because I have lived there for 23 years. It is heartbreaking to see that I was not welcomed and accepted,” said Chidimma Adetshina.
However, she made it known that several incidents happened behind the scenes, leading to her withdrawal from Miss SA.
‘I’M STILL SOUTH AFRICAN AND PROUDLY NIGERIAN’
During the interview, she made it known that she is South African and proudly Nigerian.
Chidimma Adetshina said, “A decision needed to be made, and it really hit social media as well. There were some statements that came out from Home Affairs, with regards to my mom’s ID as well and that is still a legal matter.
“What I do know is that I was born in South Africa, and I am still South African, and I am still proudly Nigerian. I was really excited to get an invitation from Silver bird to come represent Nigeria in Miss Universe Nigeria.”