Chidimma Adetshina’s fight to stay in SA delayed again

Ask AI 1minChidimma Adetshina outside the Cape Town Regional Court.

The judgment on former Miss South Africa finalist and Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner Chidimma Adetshina’s immigration status and bid to stop her detention pending her deportation case has been postponed again.

Adetshina appeared in the Cape Town Regional Court on Wednesday.

The case started as a dispute over her citizenship and eligibility to enter Miss South Africa, but has a bigger legal battle involving immigration law, detention powers and the rights of people whose identity documents are disputed.

According to the State, Adetshina has no valid legal status in South Africa. However, her legal counsel argues that she has deep ties to South Africa and stated her status can be regularised, given that she was born here.

The Department of Home Affairs is seeking confirmation of Adetshina’s detention for deportation.

The Department insists Adetshina is not lawfully in South Africa and wants legal authority to detain her while deportation proceedings continue.

Home Affairs previously stated that her South African identity documents were withdrawn following an investigation into alleged irregularities involving documents linked to her and her mother. Officials have argued that she does not have a valid basis to remain in the country.

The Department later said it had found prima facie indications of fraud and identity theft involving her mother’s documentation.

Home Affairs stressed that Adetshina was a child at the time and could not have been involved in any alleged wrongdoing.

Judgment in the matter will now be heard on February 27, 2027.