Former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina is contesting efforts by South Africa‘s Department of Home Affairs to detain and deport her, arguing that she should not be regarded as a foreign national in the country where she was born and raised.
Appearing before the Cape Town Magistrates Court, the 25-year-old is seeking to prevent both her and her young son from being deported while she works to resolve her immigration status.
“This Is the Only Home I Have Ever Known”
In court documents submitted during the case, Adetshina said South Africa has been the only country she has ever truly called home.
She stated that she and her son had always been recognized as South Africans, pointing to the registration of their births and the fact that she had previously been issued a South African identity document and passport.
Adetshina argued that she should not now be treated as an illegal foreign national after spending her entire life in the country.
Immigration Status at the Center of Legal Battle
The dispute stems from questions surrounding Adetshina’s legal status in South Africa.
She was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother.
Authorities have alleged that her mother committed identity fraud during the process of registering her birth.
At the time, neither parent reportedly held permanent residency in South Africa.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, those circumstances have affected the validity of Adetshina’s South African documentation.
Passport and Identity Documents Declared Invalid
The controversy first escalated in 2024 when Home Affairs informed Adetshina that her South African passport and identity document had been declared invalid.
The department said there was prima facie evidence suggesting fraud had occurred during her birth registration, leading officials to question the legitimacy of the documents that had been issued to her.
Last month, Adetshina was arrested after entering South Africa while authorities maintained that she did not possess lawful immigration status or a valid legal basis to remain in the country.
Adetshina Says She Is Working to Resolve Her Status
In her affidavit, Adetshina told the court she is actively trying to regularize her immigration position.
She said she is seeking to have her classification as a prohibited person lifted and hopes to secure lawful status through the proper legal channels.
The former beauty queen also argued that both she and her son have effectively been stripped of every legal status they previously held in South Africa, despite having no meaningful ties to another country.
Nigerian Identity Resurfaces in Public Debate
The legal proceedings have also revived public discussion over comments Adetshina made after winning the Miss Universe Nigeria title in 2024.
Following her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant amid the immigration investigation, she represented Nigeria on the international stage and described herself as a proud Nigerian.
At the time, she said she had always identified with her Nigerian heritage and believed she embodied the values and culture of the country.
In another widely shared video, she thanked Nigerians for embracing her after saying she had felt rejected by many South Africans.
Court Decision Still Pending
While her previous remarks have continued to fuel debate online, Adetshina now maintains that South Africa remains the only place she truly considers home.
The Cape Town Magistrates Court has reserved judgment in the matter, with a decision expected on 19 August.
The outcome could determine whether Adetshina and her son are permitted to remain in South Africa while her immigration status is resolved.
