The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed it is revoking the South African identity and travel documents of Chidimma Adetshina, the former Miss South Africa contestant, and her mother.
This decision follows the pair's failure to respond to a deadline set by the department to explain why their documentation should not be withdrawn.
Adetshina subsequently withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant in August. She later competed in and won the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, a development that further complicated the matter.
The Department's Director-General, Tommy Makhode, provided an update on the case to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on Tuesday. He stated that the Hawks, South Africa's elite crime-fighting unit, had concluded their investigation into allegations of fraud and identity theft.
“They have concluded that investigation, according to [Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey] Lebeya. They are now waiting on the NPA to advise them on the next steps,” Makhode explained.
Makhode detailed the department's actions, stating: "We have completed the work which was done by Counter Corruption and Security Services. That work is done," referring to an internal department branch.
He further explained the department's attempt to contact Adetshina and her mother: "We've actually written to both Adetshina and the mum – and indicated, I think the last day was [Monday], that they need to give us reasons as to why those documents should not be withdrawn."
He confirmed that, as of Monday, no response had been received. “As of yesterday [Monday], we have not received any response and, therefore, the department will be proceeding with the withdrawal of those documents, in line with the Identification Act,” he concluded.
The Department believes Adetshina's mother is still in South Africa, despite her apparent travel to Nigeria in support of her daughter’s Miss Universe Nigeria victory. Makhode expressed bafflement regarding this travel.
"We can't explain how Adetshina's mother may have travelled to Nigeria last month to support her daughter at Miss Universe Nigeria pageant which she won," Makhode told the committee and added that the department suspects the mother left the country during the investigation.
Acting Deputy Director-General for immigration, Albert Matsaung, corroborated this, confirming the department’s inability to trace the passport allegedly used by Adetshina’s mother for travel between Mozambique and South Africa, and subsequently to Nigeria. Adetshina is set to represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe competition in Mexico next month.
Makhode also confirmed to the committee that the department had already conducted its own investigation and handed over its findings to the Hawks.
He stated: "Officials visited a house registered to Adetshina to track down her mother. The department has also completed investigations and handed it over to the Hawks," adding that the duo faces potential fraud charges.
The matter is now before the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a decision on whether to proceed with prosecution. The NPA will determine the next steps in the legal process.
