Chidimma Adetshina, the Nigerian-South African beauty queen, is facing a tough situation after the South African government canceled her and her mother’s identification documents and passports due to allegations of fraud.
This decision comes after they missed the deadline to provide reasons for document retention, as announced by Home Affairs Director General Tommy Makhode.
Adetshina’s citizenship issues began when she withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant in August 2024 amidst backlash over her dual citizenship. An official investigation was launched, revealing prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, including allegations that her mother stole a South African woman’s identity.
Despite winning the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, Adetshina’s citizenship woes persist. The Department of Home Affairs has completed its investigation, leading to document revocation. This controversy has sparked intense debate, highlighting the importance of verifying citizenship and identity documents, especially for public figures.