Chidimma Adetshina’s Deportation Case Adjorned As South Africans Demand Her Returns To Nigeria

Anti-migrant protesters gathered outside the Cape Town Regional Court on Wednesday as proceedings against former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina were postponed until next year.

Chidimma Adetshina is facing deportation proceedings over allegations that she entered and stayed in South Africa illegally.

Her citizenship became a major issue during the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant, forcing her to withdraw from the competition after facing intense public criticism and safety concerns.

She later left the country before returning to Nigeria, where she was invited by Silverbird Group to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant. She won the title.

However, Adetshina was arrested in June after allegedly re-entering South Africa unlawfully.

The beauty queen was detained in Cape Town’s Summer Greens area before appearing in court.

Outside the courtroom on Wednesday, protesters held placards and chanted slogans opposing immigration.

Some carried messages such as “It’s time to go” and “South Africa is not a refugee site for African countries.”

The demonstration was supported by Operation Dudula, an anti-migrant group.

Zodwa Booi, the group’s interim president, described Chidimma Adetshina as an illegal resident and called for her deportation.

He said she should leave South Africa and apply to return through the normal immigration process.

“Chidimma herself decided to come into the country illegally through the Mozambican border,” he said.

“So now we have operation to say no to illegal people in our country, regardless of who you are.

‘Whether you grow up here, but if you are illegal you need to leave this country. You will have to come back and apply like everybody else.

“We are saying she must be deported. Even if the case is postponed till next year.”

After the hearing, an associate of Chidimma Adetshina was hit with a road cone while leaving the area.

Speaking to journalists, Adetshina said she had faced xenophobic attacks and claimed that details about her citizenship had been wrongly presented to the public.

The 25-year-old said she felt unfairly targeted but would continue to follow the law and cooperate with the authorities.

“I believe that I have been treated unfairly and targeted. And there has been an attempt to make me an example. But my message is not one of anger.

“South Africa is governed by law. And we should not allow xenophobia and misinformation to determine how people are going to be treated.

“Throughout this ordeal, I have availed myself of all appropriate legal reports. And I will continue to respect and abide by each process,” she said.

She also thanked her family, friends, supporters and legal team for standing by her throughout the dispute.

Chidimma Adetshina was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father of Igbo origin and a Mozambican mother.

Her citizenship has remained under scrutiny in South Africa since the controversy surrounding her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant.

In July, she said the situation had left her exhausted and emotionally drained, but she remained determined to continue with the legal battle.

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