Johannesburg – Miss SA hopeful Chidimma Adetshina has quit the competition under a cloud after the Department of Home Affairs announced that her mom was suspected of identity fraud.
In a post on social media on Thursday, Adetshina said: “Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024 competition has been an amazing journey, however, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and I”.
Since it became public knowledge that Adetshina was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent her eligibility as a Miss SA contestant and her citizenship have been questioned.
On Wednesday Home Affairs said a probe into Adetshina’s citizenship status had uncovered prima facie evidence that her mom may have been involved in identity theft.
The 23-year-old beauty, who had made it to the last 16, had endured much controversy over her eligibility to compete in the Miss SA pageant before she finally threw in the towel.
“With the support of the Miss South Africa organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for the amazing experience,” Adetshina said in her social media post.
The Patriotic Alliance party, which is led by Gayton McKenzie the sports, arts, and culture minister, had indicated that it was seeking court action to stop Adetshina from contesting in the Miss SA pageant.
Speaking to Power FM earlier in the week, McKenzie said: “If she is South African, then we wish her well. But if she is not South African, we can’t have her represent us. I am waiting for answers.”
Home Affairs said it was continuing with its probe into how Adetshina’s mom acquired her SA ID.
