Former Miss Universe Nigeria and Miss Universe Africa & Oceania, Chidimma Adetshina, says she is “depressed” but remains determined to continue fighting after a South African court postponed judgment in her deportation case until August 19.
The Cape Town Regional Court on Monday reserved judgment after hearing arguments from Adetshina’s legal team and South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs over whether she should be detained pending deportation.
The 25-year-old beauty queen was arrested in Cape Town in June over allegations that she is residing in South Africa unlawfully.
Court Proceedings
During the hearing, lawyers for the Department of Home Affairs argued that Adetshina does not possess valid immigration documents permitting her to remain in the country and should therefore be detained while deportation proceedings continue. The department also alleged that she still holds a South African passport which she has failed to surrender despite obtaining Nigerian citizenship.
Prosecutors further claimed that Adetshina secured Nigerian passports for herself and her child in Lagos before obtaining a South African visa and re-entering South Africa through Mozambique.
Her legal team rejected the allegations, insisting she was born in South Africa, has limited ties to Nigeria, and does not pose a flight risk. They argued that the Department of Home Affairs failed to conduct a fair investigation before invalidating her identity documents and noted that her citizenship remains the subject of a separate High Court challenge.
As an alternative to detention, her lawyers proposed that she report to an immigration officer every two weeks while the legal dispute is resolved.
Presiding Magistrate Reema Khorana encouraged both parties to reach an out-of-court settlement, but no agreement was reached.
The proceedings were further complicated by a recent Western Cape High Court ruling that magistrates lack the authority to issue warrants for immigration detention, with that power resting solely with immigration officers.
Chidinma Adetshina Response
Following the hearing, Adetshina shared an emotional message on Instagram, revealing the personal toll of the legal battle.
“Exhausted – Yes, Burnt out – Yes, Depressed – Yes, Will I give up, No! We no dey carry last see you next month.”
Adetshina has been at the centre of a citizenship controversy since competing in the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant, where questions over her nationality sparked widespread public debate. She later withdrew from the competition, citing safety concerns for herself and her family.
She subsequently accepted an invitation from the Silverbird Group to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, which she won before representing Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant, where she finished first runner-up, the highest placement ever achieved by a Nigerian contestant.
Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina’s citizenship has remained under legal scrutiny in South Africa.
The Department of Home Affairs maintains that she is in the country illegally and is seeking court approval to proceed with her deportation, while Adetshina continues to challenge the government’s actions in court.
The Cape Town Regional Court is expected to deliver its ruling on August 19, determining whether she will be detained pending deportation or allowed to remain free while her broader immigration and citizenship challenges continue.
