Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina, whose citizenship is under investigation by Home Affairs.

• Miss
  South Africa top 9 finalist Chidimma Adetshina withdrew from the
  competition after weeks of enduring cyberbullying.
• Adetshina’s
  withdrawal came hours after the Department of Home Affairs said it had
  found prima facie evidence suggesting the person it had on record as her
  mother might have committed fraud and identity theft.
• Miss
  SA has wished the 23-year-old well ahead of the beauty finale on Saturday.
• For
  all Miss SA related news, visit News24’s dedicated hub Crowning Glory.

After keeping mum as the country reacted to former Miss
SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina’s decision to withdraw from the beauty pageant on
Thursday, Miss SA organisers released a statement wishing the aspiring beauty
queen well in her future endeavours.

The organisation shared a statement on its social media platform,
confirming “recent events” were behind Adetshina’s
“difficult” decision to withdraw from the competition.

“In light of recent events, 2024 Miss South Africa
contestant Chidimma Adetshina has made the difficult decision to withdraw from
the Miss South Africa competition.

“We wish Chidimma all of the very best and success
in all her endeavours. Miss South Africa celebrates South Africa’s rich and
inclusive culture and diversity.

“We uphold the spirit of Ubuntu-Botho and are
committed to contributing to the self-belief, self-confidence and the
fulfilment of the aspirations of all girls and women in Africa and
worldwide,” read the statement.

Adetshina’s withdrawal came hours after the Department
of Home Affairs on Wednesday shared it had found prima facie evidence
suggesting the person it had on record as her mother might have committed fraud
and identity theft.

READ MORE | Home affairs dept probe finds mom of Miss SA contestant may
have committed ‘identity theft’

This was followed by a post on Thursday from the
Patriotic Alliance which announced it instituted an urgent legal action to
interdict the Miss SA hopeful from participating in the competition.

The political party’s deputy leader, Kenny Kunene, shared
court papers on his social media. All while the Department of Home Affairs
asked to be given time to investigate the matter.

READ MORE | EXPLAINER | Home Affairs details citizenship rules amid
Chidimma Adetshina’s Miss SA controversy

Concluding its brief statement, Miss SA wished the
23-year-old well on her future endeavours and thanked sponsors, partners, fans
and all stakeholders for their continued support before wishing the 2024 Miss
South Africa finalists all the best.

Read her full statement here. 

Miss SA initially only reposted Adetshina’s statement
when she withdrew from the competition, citing safety concerns for her and her
family.

“Being part of the Miss South Africa 2024
competition has been an amazing journey; however, after much careful
consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the
competition for the safety and wellbeing of my family and me,” the
23-year-old shared in a brief statement on social media.”With the support of the Miss South Africa organisation, I leave with a
heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.”Read her full statement here.