South African authorities have initiated the deportation process of former Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, Chidimma Adetshina, following her arrest in Cape Town in June for allegedly residing in the country illegally. The 25-year-old model, born in Soweto to a Nigerian Igbo father and a Mozambican mother, now faces fresh legal trouble less than two years after her Nigerian heritage sparked fierce public scrutiny during the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant.
Background of the Case
Adetshina had advanced to the Top 30 of the Miss South Africa competition before backlash over her heritage intensified. Miss Universe Nigeria organizers subsequently invited her to represent Taraba State, and she went on to win the title and represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico. Her immigration status in South Africa remained unclear until June 9, when she appeared before the Cape Town Regional Court after her arrest in Summer Greens, according to Sunday World newspaper.
Court Proceedings and Allegations
The court released Adetshina on a warning, and she is due to return in July as the Department of Home Affairs pursues deportation. Court documents submitted by immigration officer Adrian Jackson reveal that the department's Central Law Enforcement Unit traced her whereabouts. Jackson alleges that Adetshina and her minor son were residing in South Africa without valid immigration status. Jackson stated he was already familiar with Adetshina through an earlier investigation.
The affidavit notes that immigration officials cross-checked Adetshina's personal information using the department's electronic database before interviewing her. Jackson wrote: "In this affidavit, I shall now motivate reasons for deeming it to be in the interest of justice to detain this person for deportation to the country of origin. After the above 'status determination' interview and the DHA residency IT systems checks, it was confirmed that the applicant does not hold any lawful RSA residential status and is thus an illegal foreigner. It is my submission that the illegal foreigner willfully and intentionally remained resident unlawfully in RSA in contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2022."
Minister's Ruling and Fraud Allegations
The latest legal action stems from an earlier ruling by Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, who in March rejected Adetshina's request for a review of the department's decision to deny her and her son's application for a letter of good cause. Schreiber stated that Adetshina had been notified in September 2024 of the department's intention to revoke both her South African identity documents and those of her son. He further explained that Adetshina obtained a Nigerian passport while in Nigeria before applying for a South African visitor's visa.
"The department notified you of its intention in September 2024, and you failed to respond. On 20 September 2024, you were issued a Nigerian passport number whilst in Nigeria. You then applied for a South African visitor's visa, but your application was rejected because you submitted a fraudulent bank statement. You did not appeal the rejection," Schreiber said.
Prohibited Person Status
Schreiber declared Adetshina a prohibited person on December 19, 2024, alleging that she re-entered South Africa through the Lebombo border post from Mozambique, presenting herself as a South African citizen. He noted: "In terms of the Immigration Act, a prohibited person does not qualify for any visa or permit to remain in the Republic. You re-entered South Africa through Mozambique, at the Lebombo border post, on 15 June 2024, presenting yourself as a South African citizen using passport number and then applied for a letter of good cause, of which you failed the good cause test as stipulated in the Immigration Regulation 30(1)."
Impact on Minor Son
The minister also rejected the immigration request for Adetshina's son, stating: "As the application for the minor child was submitted as a dependency on that of the primary applicant, his legal status is inextricably linked to hers. Given the rejection of the primary applicant's request due to her prohibited status and the submission of fraudulent documentation, the minor child possesses no independent basis to remain in the Republic."
Current Legal Status
Following her initial court appearance, the Cape Town Regional Court granted Adetshina release on warning and adjourned the case to July 16. As part of her bail conditions, she must remain at the address where she was arrested and inform the investigating immigration officer of any changes to her residence, employment status, or movement while the case is ongoing.
