Chidimma Adetshina battles deportation in South Africa

Former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina, who was arrested in June on allegations of illegal residency, is challenging a bid by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs to detain and deport her and her young son. Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, she argues that South Africa is the only home she has ever known and that she has no meaningful ties elsewhere. The Cape Town Magistrates Court has adjourned judgment on the case to 19 August.

Outside the Cape Town Regional Court, she was subjected to verbal abuse, with onlookers shouting anti‑migrant slurs. The Nigerian Union South Africa condemned the harassment and called for the legal process to proceed without intimidation. The Department of Home Affairs maintains that her South African identity documents are invalid due to alleged fraud by her mother at birth, and that she lacks lawful immigration status.