A video of Chidimma Adetshina allegedly in Cape Town has raised questions about how the beauty queen – now the Miss Universe runner-up – has managed to enter South Africa without travel documents.
The Cape Town-born beauty queen recently had her SA identity (ID) and passport documents revoked amid an investigation by the Department of Home Affairs.
According to Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, Chidimma’s mother is not a South African citizen and was involved in identity theft and fraud when registering Chidimma’s birth. The model and law student has since acquired Nigerian citizenship through her father.
After competing in the Miss Universe pageant, Chidimma had remained in Nigeria.
IS CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA PERMITTED TO ENTER SOUTH AFRICA?
Late last year, Home Affairs stated that their investigation into Chidimma’s history revealed that her mother was not a South African citizen and was involved in identity theft and fraud when registering her birth.
By default of her relation to her mother, both women were stripped of their South African IDs and passports. It is likely that Chidimma has since obtained her Nigerian identity and travel documents.
According to Home Affairs, international visitors to South Africa may apply for a visitor visa for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less.
However, this would be subjective to a review by the South Africa embassy, mission or consulate where a decision would be made on if the visitor is eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose.
An immigration official would then determine if the visitor is allowed to enter South Africa and for how long. However, with Chidimma and her mother’s pending criminal investigations, this would likely throw a spanner in the works, and possibly a rejection.
Chidimma and her mother are also considered fugitives as they have yet to comply with the Home Affairs’ investigation. According to a statement by the department last year, the Hawks had taken over the case.
MIDDLE FINGER TO AUTHORITIES?
Over the weekend, Chidimma Adetshina and a friend were spotted at a Cape Town eatery.
The 23-year-old model definitely posted an Instagram Story about her travels to the city. The cheeky caption read: “It was good to be back in Cape Town.”
Chidimma’s appearance and comments have angered many South Africans. Some have even called for the resignation of Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber. Others have questioned how she was able to enter the country.
HOME AFFAIRS STAYS MUM
The South African has repeatedly reached out to the Department of Home Affairs for clarification on Chidimma’s appearance in South Africa, as well as an update on the criminal investigation against her and her mother. The South Africanalso contacted the Border Management Authority for confirmation that Chidimma had entered SA and using which country’s documents.
Phone calls, emails and WhatsApp messages have gone unanswered.
HOW DO YOU THINK CHIDIMMA ADETSHINA WAS ABLE TO ENTER SA?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to060 011 021 1.
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