Africa
Miss South Africa contender Chidinma Adetshina faces citizenship fraud allegations

Miss South Africa contender Chidinma Adetshina faces citizenship fraud allegations
A South African pageant contestant, Chidinma Vanessa Adetshina, born to a Nigerian father, has come under intense scrutiny amid preliminary investigations by the country’s Department of Home Affairs.
The investigations reveal that her citizenship may have involved fraud and identity theft.
According to a media release now circulating on social media, the Department of Home Affairs launched an inquiry into Adetshina’s citizenship after a wave of controversy erupted online.
Social media users had called for her disqualification from the Miss South Africa pageant, alleging she was not a legitimate South African citizen.
On August 5, 2024, the pageant organizers formally requested the Department to verify Adetshina’s citizenship, accompanied by written consent from both Adetshina and her mother.
Preliminary findings from the investigation suggest potential fraud and identity theft linked to the individual recorded as Adetshina’s mother in Home Affairs records.
However, the Department noted that Adetshina, being a minor at the time of the alleged actions in 2001, was not involved in the fraudulent activities.
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The investigation further uncovered that a South African woman, whose identity may have been stolen in the process, has suffered significant consequences, including the inability to register her own child.
The Department has since broadened its investigation to identify and pursue any officials implicated in the scheme and is currently seeking legal advice on the ramifications for Adetshina’s citizenship status. Criminal charges are anticipated upon the conclusion of the investigation.
“Prima facie reasons exist to believe that fraud and identity theft may have been committed by the person recorded as Chidinma Adetshina’s mother,” the Department stated. “Throughout this process, we are guided by our commitment to restore and uphold the rule of law as well as the rights of all parties.”
Now at the centre of social criticism, the beauty pageant contestant Chidimma Adetshina came under fire over her South African identity since making it into the final Top 13 selection of this year’s competition.
The 23-year-old law student from Cape Town, who has been a vocal advocate against violence towards women and children, initially garnered little attention while among the Top 30 contestants.
This scrutiny intensified after it was revealed that her parents are of mixed nationalities, with neither having South African ancestry. The controversy has sparked broader discussions on xenophobia, Afrophobia, and black-on-black discrimination within South Africa, highlighting deep-seated tensions in the country.
Adetshina’s eligibility is even more pressured as the Miss South Africa pageant prepares for its 66th edition on 10 August 2024, where the winner will go on to represent the country at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico.
Miss South Africa contender Chidinma Adetshina faces citizenship fraud allegations
Africa
Fuel hits N8,000/litre in Niger, country seeks help from Nigeria

Fuel hits N8,000/litre in Niger, country seeks help from Nigeria
With the fuel crisis bedevilling the Republic of Niger, some of its military officials have visited Abuja to seek support from Nigeria to tackle the shortage of Premium Motor Spirit in the country.
It was gathered that the delegation successfully got the approval for 300 trucks of fuel from the Nigerian government.
Trouble started for Niger -which has been reliant on a Chinese refinery – after the refinery was shut down due to some misunderstanding with the supplier.
This led to Niger turning to Nigeria for help to ameliorate the fuel shortage experienced by the country.
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Officials from the Nigerian government noted that the deal was approved with the hope of using it as a bargaining tool with Niger.
“We do not want to blow our trumpet. Rather, we want to use it as a bargaining chip for negotiation, as we continue to engage with them to bring them back to ECOWAS.
“Let them get more from us. I am confident that gradually they will come back to ECOWAS because they do not have enough resources to import food to sustain their citizens,” the official said while pleading anonymity.
Sources stated that fuel prices in Niger were hitting N8,000 per litre
However, some transborder businessmen have attributed the fuel scarcity in Niger to the lingering relationship between the country and Nigeria.
They noted that in some cross-border towns to Niger, fuel is being sold for between 1,200 CFA and N3,500 (N2,500 and N8,500).
Fuel hits N8,000/litre in Niger, country seeks help from Nigeria
Africa
ECOWAS activates standby force against insurgency

ECOWAS activates standby force against insurgency
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has activated its Standby Force to curb terrorism and other transborder crimes in the subregion.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, who disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at the Forty-third ordinary meeting of ECOWAS Committee Chiefs of Defence Staff said the economic growth of the region is dependent on stable peace.
The minister added that there is a need for members of ECOWAS to close ranks against all forms of threats against the region.
On January 29, 2025, ECOWAS recognised the exit of three of its former members Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic upon the expiration of a one-year notice period.
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However, in “the spirit of regional solidarity”, ECOWAS asked its member countries to still recognise the national passports of the three exiting countries bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice.
Their departure from the bloc has fractured the region and is leaving the ECOWAS grouping with an uncertain future.
The three junta-led countries formally notified ECOWAS of their plan for an “immediate” withdrawal in January 2024, citing the organisation’s excessive dependence on France in particular.
Paris has become the common enemy of the three juntas, which now favour partnerships with countries such as Russia, Turkey and Iran.
However, ECOWAS required one year’s notice for the departure to be effective — that deadline falls on January 29, 2025.
The three Sahelian countries have teamed up to form a separate confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
ECOWAS activates standby force against insurgency
Africa
Policewoman arrested for murder of husband, female friend

Policewoman arrested for murder of husband, female friend
A 42-year-old police sergeant, Nyiko Nyathi was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and brutal murder of her husband and his ‘female friend’ in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
The officer handed herself over to authorities at Bushbuckridge police station, according to Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.
She appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 10, 2025, facing charges for the m8rder of her husband and another woman.
“According to information, in February 2024, Lawrence Alba Mashego, 44, was reportedly attacked by a group of armed men at his house in Boikhutsong Trust in Bushbuckridge. The armed men robbed him of his Toyota Quantum and Ford Escort, then he got kidnapped,” said Mdhluli.
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“The two vehicles were reportedly used by the armed suspects as a mode of transport to reach a certain house in Zoeknog. At the house, they found Victoria Lebyane, 44, Mashego’s female friend, in possession of Mashego’s bank cards.”
Lebyane was then robbed of about R4,000 cash as well as some bank cards belonging to Mashego. After that, Mashego and Lebyane were m8rdered by the assailants.
“The matter was probed by the men and women in blue, where a thorough investigation was carried out, leading to the arrest of four suspects in connection with the incident. One of the suspects then pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 77 years imprisonment,” said Mdhluli.
As the police intensified their investigations, the police sergeant was implicated in the m8rder of her husband Mashego, and Lebyane.
Following the court appearance on Monday, the case was postponed to Wednesday, for a formal bail application.
Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed Nyathi’s arrest.
He emphasised that the law will take its course on anyone suspected to have committed crime, regardless of their social status or position.
“The SAPS remains resolute to be intolerant to any criminality within our ranks,” said Mkhwanazi.
Policewoman arrested for murder of husband, female friend
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