South Africans call for investigation into Miss World South Africa Romanda Hombir’s citizenship, claim she is not South African

Some South Africans have called for an investigation into the citizenship of Miss World South Africa, Romanda Hombir, amid claims that she was born and raised outside the country.

The calls, which have gained attention on social media, include allegations that Hombir was born in Eswatini and spent part of her childhood and education there.

Some social media users have also questioned claims that she grew up in Mpumalanga, with some alleging that residents of the area do not know her.

However, other South Africans have pushed back against the claims, questioning why her surname and background are being used as evidence that she is not South African.

The controversy has also drawn comparisons to the 2024 Miss South Africa controversy involving Chidimma Adetshina, whose South African citizenship was questioned before she withdrew from the competition.