Former Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina is facing possible fraud charges just as she prepares to compete in Mexico for the Miss Universe pageant.
As reported by The Citizen, South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs recently announced its intention to revoke Adetshina and her mother, Anabela Rungo’s South African identity and travel documents.
On Tuesday, Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode briefed a parliamentary committee, revealing that Adetshina and her mother had missed the deadline to explain why they should retain their national documents, EWN reported.
This has opened the door for both women to face legal consequences. Makhode added that the department had completed its investigation and referred the case to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, to determine the next steps.
Despite the ongoing scandal, Adetshina secured the Miss Universe Nigeria title last month.
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She is preparing to represent Nigeria on the world stage at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City despite her connection to South Africa and past participation in the Miss South Africa pageant.
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Adetshina’s father is Nigerian, while her mother hails from Mozambique, complicating the family’s citizenship ties.
Earlier this year, Adetshina was required to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition after the Department of Home Affairs found preliminary evidence suggesting that Rungo may have fraudulently acquired South African identity documents.
According to IOL, Rungo allegedly used the identity of a woman from Tshwane to obtain her documents, raising further questions about her eligibility and her daughter’s legal status in South Africa.
Words: Fame Frenzy