Identity theft and fraud have been linked to Chidimma Adetshina, a former Miss SA contestant, whose case has brought attention to the alarming trend of identity crimes in South Africa.
The Department of Home Affairs claims that these fraudulent operations carried out by unlawful immigrants are increasingly harming innocent South Africans.
In one tragic case, a mother from South Africa who shall remain nameless was unable to register her own kid because someone had stolen her identity.
“For the victims, this is not just a simple crime—it’s a life sentence,” stated Nhlanhla Cele, one of the victims whose identity was taken by a Zimbabwean national.
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“I had a chaotic existence for five years. It remained still for six years as I battled to recover my identity.”
The former pageant finalist Adetshina is accused of fraud, money laundering, and violating the Immigration Act; this has caused uproar in the case.
However, given how unsettlingly frequent identity theft has become, her instance is merely the top of the iceberg.
Numerous victims have come out to tell their terrifying tales and describe the tremendous challenges they face in regaining their stolen identities. While one woman was refused access to vital social services, another was unable to access her own bank account.
“You can call us names and vilify us, but we know this pain,” Cele said.
“This is not just a game for us – it’s a life-altering nightmare that we have to live with.”
Identity theft will be taken seriously by the Department of Home Affairs, especially from undocumented immigrants.
However, for victims such as Cele, the harm is already done; this widespread and increasingly prevalent crime has left their life in ruins.
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