Former Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has appeared before the Cape Town Regional Court as proceedings in the South African government’s bid to deport her resumed.
The 25-year-old beauty queen is facing immigration-related proceedings following her arrest in Cape Town in June over allegations that she was residing in South Africa without valid immigration status.
At Thursday’s hearing, Adetshina filed an affidavit outlining the steps she had taken to regularise her stay in South Africa in an effort to prevent her deportation.
The court, however, adjourned the matter until Monday to allow the South African government file its response to her submissions.
Adetshina’s immigration dispute dates back to the controversy surrounding her participation in the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant, when questions about her nationality generated widespread public debate. She later withdrew from the competition, citing concerns over her safety and that of her family.
She subsequently accepted an invitation to participate in the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, where she emerged winner and went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition, finishing as first runner-up.
Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina’s citizenship status has remained under scrutiny by South African authorities.
According to court documents filed by an immigration officer, investigations by the Department of Home Affairs concluded that Adetshina and her minor son were residing in South Africa without lawful immigration status.
The immigration authorities argued that she did not possess valid documentation to remain in the country and urged the court to allow her continued detention pending deportation.
The proceedings follow an earlier decision by South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, who rejected Adetshina’s request to review the department’s refusal to issue her a letter of good cause.
The minister alleged that the department had previously notified Adetshina of its intention to cancel her identity documents and those of her son but claimed she failed to respond.
He also alleged that she obtained a Nigerian passport before applying for a South African visitor’s visa using what authorities described as a fraudulent bank statement, leading to the rejection of the application.
According to the minister, Adetshina was declared a prohibited person in December 2024, making her ineligible to obtain a visa or any other permit to remain in South Africa.
The South African government further alleged that she later re-entered the country through the Lebombo border from Mozambique while presenting herself as a South African citizen before seeking further immigration relief.
The court is expected to continue hearing the matter on Monday after the South African government files its response to Adetshina’s affidavit.
Post comments (0)