The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has been called to provide a report on the citizenship of former Miss South Africa contestant, Chidimma Adetshina and her mother, and launch an investigation against Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, a Nigerian national who was crowned a traditional leader in the Eastern Cape.
Image: File
The government has been called to investigate the immigration status of Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, a Nigerian national who was recently crowned as a traditional leader of the Igbo people in KuGompo City in the Eastern Cape, and provide a report on the citizenship of former Miss South Africa contestant, Chidimma Adetshina and her mother.
A civic movement, Progressive Forces of South Africa, launched a national petition on Change.org, calling for urgent and lawful intervention by the executive and legislative arms of government regarding immigration compliance, public safety, and international relations management, specifically concerning Nigerian nationals in South Africa.
The movement said Eziko’s matter raises serious legal and governance concerns, particularly regarding compliance with the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, which regulates the admission and residence of foreign nationals, and possible violations of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019, which governs the recognition of traditional leadership structures in South Africa.
The organisation also wants the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to reveal the current status of Chidimma and her whereabouts, as well as the legal proceedings involving her mother, Anabela Rungo.
However, the DHA did not respond to questions at the time of publication.
The backlash was primarily driven by the belief that the ceremony established a parallel monarchy on South African soil, which critics, including political parties and local traditional leaders, argued violated the country's constitutional order.
After Chidimma became a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant in 2024, public scrutiny over her Nigerian name prompted an investigation by the DHA, which reported prima facie evidence that her mother allegedly committed identity theft in 2001 to obtain South African citizenship.
The investigation alleged the mother stole the identity of a South African woman, which prevented that woman from registering her own child.
Rungo was arrested in Cape Town in February 2025 for allegedly remaining in the country illegally after her documents were cancelled. Rungo, who is facing several criminal charges related to identity fraud and immigration violations, was granted bail in the amount of R10,000.
NPA regional spokesperson in the Western Cape, Eric Ntabazalila, said Rungo who recently appeared at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court, is set to make another court appearance on April 17.
“The accused appeared at the court (Tuesday) and the case has been postponed until 17 April 2026 for the State to provide copies of the docket to the defence. The accused was granted bail,” he said.
The organisation stated that the petition is grounded in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, which guarantees the rule of law, equality before the law (Section 9), and the protection of national sovereignty, alongside human dignity, freedom, and security (Sections 10, 12, and 198).
“We submit that these constitutional imperatives require the State to act decisively, fairly, and within the bounds of legality when addressing concerns affecting social cohesion and national stability,” read the petition.
The movement added that the provisions of Sections 32 and 34 of the Immigration Act be enforced, including lawful detention and deportation, should Eziko’s presence in the country be found to be unlawful.
The organisation also requested a national audit, conducted within the framework of the law, to assess the legal status and activities of Nigerian nationals residing in South Africa. It says the audit should be guided by the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, the Refugees Act 130 of 1998, the Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 and the Employment Services Act 4 of 2014.
The organisation also requested that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) undertake a formal review of the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa.
“This review should be guided by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), which outlines the roles and responsibilities of diplomatic missions.”
“Should it be found that the embassy is failing to cooperate in addressing transnational crime or community tensions, appropriate diplomatic measures should be considered. Even though international laws may hinder the process, as a civic movement speaking on behalf of many South Africans are of the view that the Nigerian Embassy should be closed permanently.”
DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri said the department raises concerns about matters of national interest as they arise with all embassies resident in the Republic.
“Equally, the Department pursues areas of cooperation and coordinates such with all embassies resident in the Republic as and when such matters arise,” he said.
The movement said this petition is not a call for exclusion or discrimination but for lawful, transparent, and accountable governance, adding that South Africa is a constitutional democracy founded on human dignity, equality, and freedom.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Deputy Acting High Commissioner, Olajide Ogunmadeji, issued a “sincere apology” to South African traditional institutions and the people of the Eastern Cape, expressing regret for the offence caused. The embassy reaffirmed its respect for South Africa's laws, customs, and traditional leadership structures, stating it would never encourage the undermining of local authorities.
manyane.manyane@inl.co.za