Former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina appeared before the Cape Town Regional Court on Thursday as she continues her legal battle against deportation from South Africa over allegations that she lacks legal immigration status.
The 25-year-old filed an affidavit outlining steps she has taken to regularise her residency. The court adjourned the matter until Monday to give South African authorities time to file their response.
Adetshina has been embroiled in a citizenship dispute since her participation in the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant, when questions over her nationality sparked national debate. She withdrew from that contest citing safety concerns, before Silverbird Group invited her to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria, which she won. She went on to finish first runner-up at Miss Universe, the first Nigerian to do so.
Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina has faced ongoing scrutiny over her residency status. Court documents from immigration officer Adrian Jackson state that investigations by the Department of Home Affairs found she and her minor son were residing in the country without lawful status, and allege she remained there in violation of the Immigration Act.
The proceedings follow a decision by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber to dismiss her application challenging the department’s refusal to issue a letter of good cause. Schreiber alleged she failed to respond when notified in September 2024 that her documents would be cancelled, obtained a Nigerian passport before applying for a South African visa using a disputed bank statement, and was declared a prohibited person in December 2024.
He further alleged she later re-entered the country via the Lebombo border presenting as a South African citizen. Her son’s separate immigration application was also rejected, with authorities citing his dependence on her status. The case resumes Monday.
