Former Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, appeared before a South African court on Thursday as she continues her legal challenge against attempts by authorities to deport her over allegations that she is residing in the country without valid immigration status.
The 25-year-old beauty queen appeared at the Cape Town Regional Court, where she submitted an affidavit outlining steps she has taken to regularise her residency and halt the deportation process. The matter was adjourned until Monday to allow the South African government to file its response.
Adetshina has been involved in a citizenship dispute since her participation in the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant, where questions about her nationality sparked widespread debate. She later withdrew from the competition, citing concerns over her safety and that of her family.
She subsequently accepted an invitation from the Silverbird Group to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, which she won before representing Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition. She finished as first runner-up, becoming the first Nigerian contestant to achieve the position.
Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father of Igbo heritage and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina has faced continued scrutiny over her immigration status in South Africa.
In court documents, immigration officer Adrian Jackson said investigations by the Department of Home Affairs found that Adetshina and her minor son were living in the country without lawful residency.
Jackson stated that Adetshina did not hold valid South African residential status and was therefore considered an illegal foreigner under the Immigration Act 13 of 2022.
The latest proceedings follow an earlier decision by South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, who rejected Adetshina’s application to review the department’s refusal to issue her with a letter of good cause.
Schreiber alleged that Adetshina failed to respond after authorities notified her in September 2024 of plans to cancel her and her son’s South African identity documents. He further claimed that she obtained a Nigerian passport before applying for a South African visitor’s visa using what officials described as a fraudulent bank statement.
The minister also alleged that Adetshina was declared a prohibited person on 19 December 2024, making her ineligible for any visa or permit to remain in South Africa. He claimed she later returned to the country through the Lebombo border from Mozambique while presenting herself as a South African citizen and subsequently sought further immigration relief.
Her son’s immigration application was also rejected, with authorities arguing that his status was linked to his mother’s and that he had no independent legal basis to remain in the country.
The Cape Town Regional Court is expected to continue hearing the matter on Monday after the South African government submits its responding affidavits.
