A South African court has postponed a decision on whether former Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, should remain in detention pending deportation, with a ruling now expected on August 19 after both parties failed to reach an out-of-court settlement.
Gatekeepers News reports that the 25-year-old beauty queen, who was arrested in Cape Town in June, is challenging efforts by South African authorities to deport her over allegations that she is living in the country without valid immigration documents. The matter returned to court on Monday after Adetshina previously filed an affidavit outlining the steps she claimed to have taken to regularise her immigration status.
During the hearing, lawyers representing the Department of Home Affairs argued that Adetshina is an undocumented foreign national and should remain in custody while deportation proceedings continue.
They alleged that she obtained Nigerian passports for herself and her child in Lagos, secured a South African visa and re-entered the country through Mozambique. The state also claimed she is still in possession of a South African passport, which she has refused to surrender.
However, Adetshina’s legal team rejected the allegations, insisting she was born in South Africa and has no meaningful ties to Nigeria despite representing the country at the Miss Universe pageant. Her lawyers argued that the Department of Home Affairs failed to conduct a fair investigation before declaring her identity documents invalid and maintained that she poses no flight risk. They also noted that the legality of her citizenship is already being challenged in a separate case before the High Court.
Magistrate Reema Khorana encouraged both parties to resolve the dispute outside the courtroom, but negotiations ended without an agreement. The case was further complicated by a recent Western Cape High Court ruling that immigration detention warrants can only be issued by immigration officers, not magistrates. Khorana subsequently reserved judgment on the state’s application to detain Adetshina until August 19.
Following the proceedings, Adetshina shared an emotional message on Instagram, revealing the toll the legal battle 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.”
Adetshina first came into the spotlight in 2024 after her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant sparked controversy over her nationality. 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 the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, where she emerged winner before representing Nigeria at the Miss Universe competition. She finished as first runner-up, becoming the first Nigerian contestant to achieve the feat.
Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina has remained at the centre of a prolonged citizenship dispute in South Africa, with the outcome of the ongoing court cases expected to determine her immigration status.
