Aditshina’s citizenship hangs in the balance

Human rights lawyer, Sheldon Magardie, says Chidimma Aditshina’s citizenship could be revoked in the wake of the damning claims against her mother. But the final decision must be made by the Home Affairs Department.

Last night, the department confirmed there was prima facia evidence to suggest that Adetshina’s mother may have committed identity theft and falsified her citizenship.

According to Magardie, the law requires at least one parent to be a South African citizen for a child to be naturalised.

The 23-year-old Miss SA finalist has since withdrawn from the competition amid public outcry over her nationality and her eligibility to represent the nation.

The controversy shrouding her identity has sparked a larger conversation about identity theft and its impact on South African citizens.

“We all know many people who have suffered as a result of identity theft. It’s in the public interest for there to be consequences for whoever engages in this activity,” Magadie told YNews.

Victims of identity theft in South Africa have taken to social media to share their harrowing experiences.

We know of cases where children committed suicide because they couldn’t register for varsity, couldn’t find a job, being married to strangers, being put into heavy debt, resorted to becoming criminals instead because a normal life was stolen at birth from them. #GNUWorks

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) August 8, 2024

The widespread scourge of identity theft has led to citizens discovering they’ve been married to strangers, registered for bank accounts, or even wanted for crimes without their knowledge or consent.

Many young people have also been unable to apply for university, jobs, or bank accounts, and have been denied financial assistance due to someone else’s fraudulent activities in their name.

One X user, @ndosi_omkhulu says his life stood still for six years as a result of his identity being stolen by a Zimbabwean national.

I was a victim of identity theft by a Zimbabwean.
My life was a mess for 5 years.
For you guys, this is just a game.
We know this pain.
My life stood still for 6 years.
You can call us names and vilify us. pic.twitter.com/cC6OxegYcj

— Nhlanhla (@ndosi_omkhulu) August 8, 2024

He’s highlighted the urgent need to clampdown on corrupt officials in the Home Affairs Department, who continue to issue falsified documents, causing pain and hardship to victims of their crimes.

“It’s difficult to see how there could not have been the illegal involvement of a departmental official in all this. One doesn’t just arrive at the department of home affairs and the right documents get handed over,” he told YNews.

Magardie says citizenship applications should be digitised to prevent identity theft.

A probe into the Adetshina matter continues with the Home Affairs Department having it has broadened the scope of the investigation.

“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.”