South Africa Strips Miss Universe Nigeria Adetshina of identity over nationality controversy

The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa has announced the withdrawal of identity and travel documents for Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina.

This decision, revealed to a parliamentary committee on Tuesday, comes as Adetshina finds herself at the center of a nationality controversy that has sparked significant debate and backlash.

Adetshina, who recently became a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant, faced intense scrutiny regarding her eligibility due to her mother’s Mozambican roots and her Nigerian father’s nationality. The investigation into her case was initiated after concerns were raised about the legitimacy of her citizenship status.

In August, the controversy escalated when Adetshina withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition after the Department of Home Affairs suggested that her mother may have committed “identity theft” to obtain South African citizenship.

The department’s top civil servant, Tommy Makhode, confirmed that both Adetshina and her mother failed to meet the deadline to justify their eligibility, leading to the cancellation of their documents.

Adetshina, a law student, later gained recognition by winning the title of Miss Universe Nigeria after being invited to participate by the event’s organizers. However, the situation has ignited a wave of xenophobic backlash in South Africa. In response to the hostility, Adetshina expressed her emotional turmoil, stating to the BBC that she would need therapy to recover from the experience.

Makhode also disclosed that the case has been referred to the Hawks, South Africa’s elite police unit specializing in serious crimes, which concluded that the situation constitutes a “case of fraud.” Authorities are now awaiting instructions from prosecutors on how to proceed further.

Despite the challenges, Adetshina maintains her identity, asserting that she was born in Soweto, South Africa. After her recent victory in Nigeria, she reaffirmed her sense of belonging, stating, “I still identify as proudly South African and proudly Nigerian.”