Miss Nigeria Adetshina is preparing to lose her South African citizenship — News — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

Chidimma Adetshina, who recently won the Miss Universe Nigeria title, is set to lose her South African citizenship and identity documents following a nationality row over her family background.

The South African Department of Home Affairs made the decision after Adetshina and her mother failed to meet the deadline to provide evidence of their eligibility for South African citizenship.

The controversy began with an examination of the eligibility of Adetshina, who describes herself as “proudly South African” and “proudly Nigerian”, to compete in the Miss South Africa pageant.

Chidimma later withdrew from the competition in August after the Home Office announced that her mother may have committed “identity theft” to obtain South African citizenship.

Following her withdrawal, Adetshina was invited to the Nigerian pageant where she won the Miss Universe Nigeria crown.

Addressing a parliamentary committee, Home Office Director-General Tommy Makhode said: “The case was referred to the Hawks, a police unit specializing in serious crime, who concluded it was a ‘case of fraud.'” Officials are now awaiting further action from prosecutors on the matter. .

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Adetshina has not commented on the decision to strip him of his citizenship, but has since shared stories of xenophobia he has been subjected to, stating that he would need therapy to heal even after deleting his social media account.

“I had to delete it because I felt it was too much for me. I am a comment reader, so I read every comment; this is the thing. So I can spend 80% of my day reading comments. “I read the comments and stuff and it became toxic to me.”

He also stated that he is not completely away from social media as his fans and supporters can catch him on Instagram. “I use Instagram but I limit my comment section once,” Adetshina wrote.

Reflecting on his identity, he also confirmed: “I consider myself proudly South African and proudly Nigerian.”

Adetshina is currently in Mexico, where she is preparing to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant on November 16.

She is preparing to compete alongside contestants from around the world, including Miss South Africa Mia le Roux.