Former Miss South Africa contestant and Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner, Chidimma Adetshina, has accused South African authorities of treating her unfairly as she continues to fight a legal battle over her citizenship, detention and possible deportation.
Adetshina spoke to journalists after the Cape Town Regional Court postponed proceedings concerning her case. She maintained that she was born in South Africa and said she remained confident in the country's judicial system.
The beauty queen said she had followed the appropriate legal channels to have her citizenship and immigration status determined. She also alleged that authorities were attempting to make an example of her.
Adetshina, who has Nigerian and Mozambican family roots, became the centre of a citizenship controversy during the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant. South African authorities later stripped her of her identity documents after questions were raised about her citizenship status. She subsequently left the country before returning in 2026.
Adetshina Appeals for Fair Treatment
Speaking after the court proceedings, Adetshina said she would continue to respect the legal process despite what she described as unfair treatment.
She also warned against allowing xenophobia and misinformation to influence how people are treated, calling for respect for the principle of Ubuntu.
The former beauty queen said her response to the situation would not be driven by anger and that she would continue pursuing her case through the courts.
Court Postpones Case Until 2027
The Cape Town Regional Court has postponed the matter until February 2027.
The court was unable to make a final decision on whether Adetshina should be detained pending possible deportation because a related matter remains before the Western Cape High Court.
South African authorities are seeking to have her detained while the deportation process continues. Adetshina's legal team is challenging the move and continues to contest the authorities' position regarding her status.
The case has attracted significant public attention, particularly because of the controversy surrounding Adetshina's participation in the Miss South Africa competition and the wider debate over citizenship, immigration and xenophobia in South Africa.
For now, Adetshina remains free as she continues her legal battle, with the next major developments expected from the courts.
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