Former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina has said she is “depressed” but remains determined to continue fighting after a South African court postponed judgment in her deportation case until 19 August.
The Cape Town Regional Court on Monday reserved judgment on whether Adetshina should be detained pending deportation after hearing arguments from her legal team and South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs.
The 25-year-old beauty queen was arrested in Cape Town in June over allegations that she was residing in South Africa illegally.
During the proceedings, lawyers representing the Department of Home Affairs argued that Adetshina did not have the necessary immigration documents to remain in the country and should be detained pending deportation.
The department also alleged that she still has a South African passport, which she has refused to surrender, despite also holding Nigerian citizenship.
Prosecutors further claimed that Adetshina obtained Nigerian passports for herself and her child in Lagos before securing a South African visa and returning to the country through Mozambique.
However, her legal team rejected the claims, arguing that she was born in South Africa, has no significant ties to Nigeria and does not pose a flight risk.
The defence also accused the Department of Home Affairs of failing to conduct a fair investigation before declaring her documents invalid, adding that her citizenship status remains the subject of a separate High Court case.
Her lawyers proposed that Adetshina should report to an immigration officer every two weeks instead of being detained while the matter is being resolved.
Presiding Magistrate Reema Khorana encouraged both parties to consider an out-of-court settlement, but no agreement was reached.
The case was further complicated by a recent Western Cape High Court ruling that magistrates do not have the authority to issue arrest warrants for immigration detention, a power reserved for immigration officers.
After the hearing, Adetshina expressed her feelings in a post on her Instagram Stories, describing the emotional impact 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,” she wrote.
Adetshina has been involved in a citizenship dispute since taking part in the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant, where questions over her nationality triggered widespread public debate.
She later withdrew from the competition, citing safety concerns for herself and her family.
