Cape Town, Western Cape: Home Affairs Reportedly Investigates Michael Adetshina Amid Identity Fraud Concerns
The Department of Home Affairs is reportedly investigating Michael Adetshina, the father of former Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina, over questions surrounding his South African permanent residence status. The reported development has brought renewed attention to the wider identity and citizenship controversy involving the Adetshina family, with the latest report published on 1 September 2026.
The reported investigation comes as Chidimma Adetshina continues to face legal and immigration-related questions in South Africa. The case has its roots in a Home Affairs investigation launched after concerns were raised about the identity documents used by her mother and the circumstances surrounding Chidimma’s birth registration.
Home Affairs has not publicly confirmed that Michael Adetshina is personally the subject of a new investigation. When approached for comment, the department reportedly did not confirm or deny the claim, instead stating that where evidence of fraud or irregularity exists, it is legally required to investigate and take appropriate action.
What is the latest update on Michael Adetshina and Home Affairs?
The latest development centres on Michael Adetshina’s permanent residence status in South Africa. Briefly News reported on 1 September 2026 that Home Affairs is said to be conducting an internal investigation into how the Nigerian national obtained his permanent residence.
That distinction is important because the department has not publicly announced a finding that Michael Adetshina obtained his residency unlawfully. At this stage, the reported investigation should therefore not be presented as proof that he committed identity fraud or immigration fraud.
According to the report, questions about Michael Adetshina have emerged in connection with the broader investigation into the registration of Chidimma Adetshina’s birth and the alleged use of another South African woman’s identity documents.
The wider controversy dates back to 2024, when Home Affairs began investigating Chidimma’s documentation following questions raised during the controversy surrounding her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant.
The department subsequently said there were prima facie indications that fraud and identity theft may have been committed in connection with the acquisition of South African identity documents. Home Affairs also said its investigation included officials who may have been involved in the irregularities.
Michael Adetshina’s immigration status has therefore become part of renewed public interest, particularly because he is reported to hold permanent residency in South Africa. A July 2026 report by Scrolla described him as a Nigerian national with permanent residency in the country.
However, the existence of permanent residence by itself does not establish wrongdoing. The central question now being reported is whether the documents and process used to obtain that status were valid.
That is why the wording surrounding the latest development matters. There is currently a significant difference between saying Home Affairs is “reportedly investigating” Michael Adetshina and saying that Home Affairs has established that he obtained permanent residence fraudulently.
The former is supported by the latest media report. The latter has not been established by the evidence publicly available.
What are the identity fraud allegations involving Chidimma Adetshina?
The allegations surrounding Chidimma Adetshina’s family began with questions about her mother’s identity and the registration of Chidimma’s birth in South Africa.
Chidimma was born in Johannesburg on 8 January 2001. Her mother, Anabela Carlos Rungo, is originally from Mozambique, while her father, Michael Adetshina, is Nigerian. The family’s citizenship and immigration history later became the subject of scrutiny by Home Affairs.
Home Affairs previously confirmed that its investigation uncovered prima facie indications of possible fraud and identity theft involving the circumstances under which South African identity documents were obtained.
The allegations concern the identity of a South African woman whose details were allegedly used in connection with documentation linked to Chidimma’s birth registration. The department’s investigation has also examined the role of officials and the processes followed when the relevant documents were issued.
Anabela Rungo was subsequently arrested in connection with the alleged identity fraud. The Hawks, formally known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, were also reported to have become involved in the investigation.
The allegations are serious, but they remain allegations unless and until established through the appropriate legal process.
One of the most important facts in the case is that Chidimma herself was an infant when the alleged identity irregularities took place. She has therefore not been accused of personally carrying out the alleged fraud surrounding the original registration of her birth.
A July 2026 fact-checking report by Scrolla specifically noted that Chidimma was a child when the alleged identity fraud occurred and could not have participated in it. The same report said the case involving her family centres on allegations concerning her mother.
The issue has nevertheless had consequences for Chidimma’s own citizenship and immigration position.
Chidimma has challenged decisions affecting her status in South Africa and has maintained that South Africa is her home. In court proceedings, she has argued that she was recognised and documented as South African from birth.
The dispute has consequently moved well beyond the original Miss South Africa controversy. What began as questions about whether Chidimma should compete in a national beauty pageant has developed into a wider legal dispute involving citizenship, identity documents and immigration status.
What did Chidimma Adetshina’s father say in the resurfaced audio?
Another element that has brought renewed attention to the case is an audio recording of a man believed to be Chidimma Adetshina’s father.
The recording resurfaced online in August 2026 and was again discussed as questions surrounding the family’s South African and Nigerian citizenship continued. In the recording, the man describes his relationship with his South African wife and discusses the family’s ties to South Africa.
The man says he first travelled to South Africa in 2010 to attend the FIFA World Cup. He reportedly said that he entered the country on a visitor’s visa and later returned to South Africa.
He also discussed the nationality of his children, describing them as Nigerian children who had rights as South Africans and referring to dual citizenship.
The recording itself, however, requires some caution.
A similar recording circulated during the original 2024 controversy, and Chidimma Adetshina publicly disputed claims that the man in that particular viral clip was her father. The Citizen reported at the time that she said the individual claiming to be her father was not her father.
More recent reports have nevertheless identified a resurfaced recording as involving a man believed to be Michael Adetshina. Briefly News reported in August 2026 that the man discussed how he and his wife first travelled to South Africa during the 2010 World Cup and later returned to the country.
Because there has been a previous dispute over the identity of the speaker in viral recordings, the audio should not be treated as independent proof of any immigration offence.
What the recording does demonstrate is why questions about the family’s immigration history have continued to attract attention.
It also helps explain the renewed interest in Michael Adetshina’s permanent residence status. However, statements made in an audio recording do not by themselves establish whether a person’s immigration documents were lawfully obtained.
The legal position will ultimately depend on documentary evidence, Home Affairs records and the findings of the relevant authorities.
What happens next in the Chidimma Adetshina case?
The latest report involving Michael Adetshina should be viewed against the background of an already lengthy investigation and legal dispute.
Home Affairs has previously confirmed that it investigated allegations of identity fraud connected to the documentation surrounding Chidimma’s birth. The Hawks were also brought into the wider matter after concerns were raised about the person recorded as having registered her birth.
The new question is whether Michael Adetshina’s permanent residence was obtained through valid documentation and through the correct legal process.
According to the latest report, one line of inquiry concerns whether his permanent residence could have been connected to documents allegedly involving Anabela Rungo. That remains a reported allegation and has not been established publicly as fact.
If investigators were to establish that immigration status had been obtained through fraudulent documentation, the consequences could be serious. However, any decision affecting a person’s permanent residence would have to follow the applicable legal process and would depend on evidence.
It is also important to separate the different issues in this case.
The allegations concerning Anabela Rungo’s identity documents are one matter. The circumstances surrounding Chidimma Adetshina’s birth registration are another. Michael Adetshina’s permanent residence status is a separate immigration question. Chidimma’s own citizenship and right to remain in South Africa are also matters currently being dealt with through legal proceedings.
Treating all of these issues as one proven fraud case would risk giving readers an inaccurate picture of what authorities have actually established.
The case also continues to attract significant public interest because of Chidimma’s profile. She became widely known in South Africa after reaching the Miss South Africa 2024 competition before withdrawing amid the controversy. She later represented Nigeria at Miss Universe 2024, where she finished as first runner-up.
In 2026, the citizenship dispute remains active. Recent reporting has described Chidimma as challenging Home Affairs decisions concerning her status in South Africa.
For readers following the Michael Adetshina investigation, the most important development to watch is whether Home Affairs eventually confirms the reported investigation and whether it publishes findings about his permanent residence.
Until then, claims that Michael Adetshina committed identity fraud or obtained permanent residence unlawfully should not be stated as established facts.
This is not the first major identity and immigration controversy to involve Home Affairs. Read more South African crime, court, immigration and community stories on our website as developments emerge.
For now, the reported investigation remains just that, a reported investigation. Home Affairs has not publicly confirmed that Michael Adetshina obtained his permanent residence through fraud, and any further action will depend on the evidence and the outcome of the relevant legal processes.
Readers should follow the case for confirmed updates rather than relying solely on social media claims or resurfaced audio recordings.
Read also – R85 Million KwaZulu-Natal Border Wall Tender Set Aside After SIU Fraud Findings
