Miss SA semi-finalists get the boot over tattoos

It seems beauty is really only skin deep. 

Miss SA organisers posted a statement on Facebook on Saturday, saying they had made the decision to disqualify three of the 24 semi-finalists because they have 'visible' tattoos. 

On the Miss SA site, it's stipulated in the application rules that - among other things - applicants should not have a criminal record, not be married or engaged, not have ever been pregnant - and not have any visible tattoos.  

Here's the statement from the organisers, as it appeared on their Facebook page: 

"Three of the Top 24 semi-finalists in the Miss South Africa Pageant have been disqualified once it came to the attention of the organisers and sponsors that they had not met the criteria as stipulated on the entry form rules by having a visible tattoo," the statement read.  

"They are Kelly Davids and Altina Vries, of the Western Cape, and Aseza Matanzima of the Eastern Cape.

"The organisers feel it’s very unfortunate that they had to lose three beautiful young women in this way." 

(Above: Kelly Davids) 

(Above: Altina Vries) 

(Above: Aseza Matanzima​) 

Meanwhile, now.co.za reports that Matanzima said she had indicated she had a tattoo during an earlier on-camera interview - and the organisers apparently had no issue with it. But she was held to account following the bikini parade last week. 

What are your thoughts? Is the 'no tattoo' rule outdated?