PA wants to block Chidimma Adetshina from participating in Miss SA final

Just hours before a new Miss South Africa will be crowned, finalist Chidimma Adetshina will be at the centre of a court battle to prevent her from participating.

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has instituted urgent legal action to interdict Adetshina from participating in the pageant.

Court action

PA deputy president Kenny Kunene said they are hoping for an outcome before the pageant on Saturday.

“We intend to have the matter heard on 10 August 2024 at 10am. We are waiting until 4pm to confirm with the Senior Judge the allocation of the matter.

“We are vindicated as the Patriotic Alliance. We were insulted and ridiculed. The SA Human Rights Commission also joined in to [criticise] us and the patriotic South Africans who spoke against this fraud. We shall not stop with our legal process to interdict this Nigerian from contesting Miss SA. Salute,” Kunene said in a post on X.

ALSO READ: Home Affairs finds evidence of fraud by Chidimma Adetshina’s mother

Indications of fraud

There’s been massive controversy over Adetshina’s participation in the popular pageant in light of her having a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, despite having reportedly been born and raised in South Africa.

On Wednesday, the Department of Home Affairs said it found prima facie indications of fraud committed by Adetshina’s mother after it launched an investigation into her citizenship.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber shared the details of the prima facie evidence on Wednesday.

“From the information we have uncovered thus far, the Department of Home Affairs can indicate that prima facie reasons exist to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded in Home Affairs records as Chidimma Adetshina’s mother.”

Criminal charges

Schreiber said Adetshina could not have participated in the alleged unlawful actions of her mother, as she was an infant at the time when the activities took place in 2001.

“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 has broadened its investigation to identify and pursue any officials involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme and is obtaining legal advice on the implications of the alleged fraudulent activity on Adetshina’s citizenship status and upon the completion of the investigation, Home Affairs intends to press criminal charges against all implicated parties,” Schreiber said.

‘McKenzie vindicated’

Minister of Sports, arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, who is also the PA leader, said he felt vindicated after the investigation by the Department of Home Affairs.

“Our next step is to find the South African mother [whose identity was allegedly stolen]. Let’s blow open this whole racket and arrest/s should surely follow. I want to thank all patriotic South Africans who stood by me when I was called all sorts of names. Words will fail to adequately describe my gratitude.

“We are meeting owners [of Miss SA on Thursday],” he said

The Miss South Africa pageant is yet to comment on the latest saga surrounding Adetshina.

ALSO READ: Home Affairs minister speaks on Miss SA’s Chidimma Adetshina nationality debate [VIDEO]