The South African government is set to cancel the identification documents of Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old woman recently caught in a controversy over her nationality.
Adetshina, who had entered the Miss South Africa contest, decided to step down in August after facing harsh criticism and accusations that she was not a true South African. This led to an official investigation into her citizenship status.
On Tuesday, South African officials announced that Adetshina and her mother’s ID documents would be revoked since they missed a deadline to explain why they should be allowed to keep them.
“We have not received any response and therefore the department will be proceeding with the withdrawal of those documents in line with the Identification Act,” Home Affairs Director General, Tommy Makhode said.
Adetshina was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and has faced strong xenophobic backlash due to her Nigerian heritage.
Many South Africans reacted negatively when she was chosen as a Miss South Africa finalist, showing underlying anti-foreigner tensions.
The government investigation also looked into claims that her mother might have used another South African woman’s identity to obtain citizenship. Both Adetshina and her mother were given until Monday to defend their citizenship.
Adetshina, who withdrew from the pageant to protect her family’s safety, traveled to Nigeria in September. There, she entered and won a Miss Universe pageant and will represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe 2024 competition in Mexico on November 16.
