The Department of Home Affairs has identified two officials from its department who are under investigation for their alleged involvement in a fraud case perpetrated by Chidimma Adetshina`s mother.
(The Post News)- Home Affairs Department revealed that after reviewing archival records and hospital visits, there was evidence that a person listed in Home Affairs records as Adetshina’s mother may have committed fraud and identity theft.
The department broadened its investigation to identify and pursue officials involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme.Â
The investigation revealed that the mother, born in 1982, applied for her ID document in 1995 in Tshwane, and that was when her identity was stolen.
Then, in 2001, her child was born. When she tried to register her child’s birth, she was informed that a child was already registered under her ID number. The child’s name was Adetshina.
The Department of Home Affairs said it had visited the mother in Tshwane whose identity document was stolen and found that details on her original identity document matched the department’s records, showing that she was also registered as Adetshina’s mother.
The Home Affairs department has identified three officials allegedly involved in Adetshina’s birth registration. One of the officers has since died, and the other two are under investigation.
According to the department, as things stand, Adetshina is South African because of her mother’s alleged fraudulent ID.
The department explained that the status of Adetshina’s mother is now in question, and should the Director General declare her ID document invalid, it will mean that Adetshina’s birth registration itself was forged, and therefore that status is not legally valid.
The department is investigating Adetshina’s father as well, as it is clear he was implicated in the birth registration. The Hawks are investigating the case further.
About the Author
