Chidimma can regain her South African citizenship IF she can prove it

Even though the Department of Home Affairs has stripped Chidimma Adetshina and her mother of their South African identity documents and passports, there is one loophole she can use to regain her citizenship.

Earlier this week, officials said the Miss Universe Nigeria winner, born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and Mozambican mother, had missed a deadline to present evidence of her innocence.

This follows a thorough investigation into reports of identity theft and fraud. The DHA also said Chidimma and her mother faced criminal prosecution by the Hawks.

HOW CHIDIMMA CAN RECOVER HIS SOUTH AFRICAN STATUS

Earlier this week, in a bombshell statement, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said it would initiate criminal proceedings against Chidimma Adetshina and her mother.

This is after their IDs and passports have been canceled and revoked.

So what does it mean for the beauty queen who turned down the Miss South Africa pageant to instead compete in the Miss Nigeria Universe pageant?

Immigration lawyer Stephanie de Saude Darbandi said this means Quimma and her mother “are no longer South African citizens and no longer have the privileges they once had as South Africans.”

Stephanie told Newzroom Afrika: “The basis for her citizenship was her mother’s status and that is our understanding. If the status of the mother comes into question and is revoked, then anyone who acquired status through the mother will lose their status.”

Stephanie added that Chidimma is not considered “stateless” because she has Nigerian citizenship on her father’s side and is eligible for Mozambican citizenship due to her mother’s ancestry.

However, Chidimma could regain her South African citizenship by exploiting a loophole.

She added: “There is a provision in the Citizenship Act that allows her to have citizenship status regardless of her parents’ status or regardless of what her parents may have done. To be eligible, all she needs to prove is that she was born here, that her birth was registered under the Birth and Registration Act and that she lived here until she was 18 years old.

“I think she fits all those requirements.

She continued: “If she wanted, she could apply for South African citizenship on that basis. But it will be a formal application that must be submitted to the Home Office, reviewed by the Home Office and approved by the Home Office.”

Will she still be able to compete in Miss UNIVERSE?

Making headlines in South Africa, Chidimma Adetshina has written extensively about her time in Mexico, where she will compete in the Miss Universe pageant on November 16th.

Although she is no longer considered a South African citizen, she is likely to retain her Nigerian citizenship as her father was born in the African country.

Her participation in Miss Universe will not be affected, as organizers have made amendments according to which title holders do not have to be born or reside in the country they represent.

DO YOU THINK CHIDIMMA WILL FIGHT FOR HIS SA CITIZENSHIP?

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