According to the South Africa government, has shown that Chidinma Adetshina’s mother, a competitor for Miss South Africa 2024, may have engaged in “identity theft.”
The government claims that Adetshina’s mother may have stolen the identity of another South African woman and used it to register Adetshina when she was a little child.
Due to her birth registration, the model was granted citizenship at birth. In 2001, Adetshina was born.
A person is granted citizenship by birth under South African law if they are born to a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa.
It is reported that Adetshina’s mother originated in the nearby country of Mozambique. Her South African citizenship was obtained through a process that is currently being looked at.
“Mother of innocence suffers”
“An innocent South African mother, whose identity may have been stolen as part of the alleged fraud committed by Adetshina’s mother, suffered as a result because she could not register her child,” the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa stated in a statement on Wednesday.
“Broadened its investigation to identify and pursue any officials involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme,” the department continued.
The organization added that it was consulting with legal counsel over how the purported fraud would affect Adetshina’s citizenship status.
“Home Affairs intends to press criminal charges against all implicated parties upon completion of the investigation,” the department stated, noting that “engagements with all stakeholders, including Adetshina’s mother, are ongoing.”
“Modernization through digital means”
In order to protect the department from fraudulent interference, the agency added, “This case, which is based on alleged fraudulent activities committed 23 years ago, highlights the urgent need for the digital modernization of Home Affairs applications, adjudication, and verification processes.”
The case also demonstrates why the department blocked some duplicate IDs and the need for caution when unblocking these papers per a court order.
The Department of Home Affairs declared that it will “uphold the rule of law as well as the rights of all parties” during the procedure.
Adetshina is one of the top 13 models competing to go to the next international pageant as South Africa’s representative.
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