File: Chidimma Adetshina and her lawyer.
Former Miss Universe Nigeria, 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 on whether Adetshina should be detained pending deportation after hearing arguments from both 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 is residing in South Africa illegally.
During the proceedings, as reported by South Africa’s Sabc News on Tuesday, lawyers representing the Department of Home Affairs argued that Adetshina lacked the required immigration documents to remain in the country and should be detained pending deportation.
The state also alleged that she still possesses 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 re-entering the country through Mozambique.
Her legal team rejected the allegations, insisting she was born in South Africa, has no significant ties to Nigeria, and is not a flight risk.
The defence argued that the Department of Home Affairs failed to conduct a fair investigation before invalidating her documents and noted that her citizenship remains the subject of a separate High Court challenge.
Her lawyers also proposed that, instead of detention, Adetshina should report to an immigration officer every two weeks while the matter is resolved.
Presiding Magistrate Reema Khorana encouraged both parties to settle the matter out of court, 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 arrest warrants for immigration detention, a power reserved for immigration officers.
Following the hearing, Adetshina shared an emotional message on her Instagram Stories, describing the toll the case has taken on her.
“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 at the centre of a citizenship dispute since participating 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.
The Silverbird Group subsequently invited her to contest the 2024 Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, which she won before representing Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition, where she finished first runner-up—the highest placement by a Nigerian contestant.
Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina’s citizenship status has remained the subject of legal and public scrutiny in South Africa.
The latest hearing follows last week’s proceedings, during which Adetshina filed an affidavit outlining efforts to regularise her immigration status after South African authorities sought her deportation.
The court is expected to deliver its judgment on August 19.
Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.
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