Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, is facing possible deportation from South Africa after the country’s Department of Home Affairs alleged that she is residing in the country without valid immigration status.
The 25-year-old beauty queen appeared before the Cape Town Regional Court on June 9 following her arrest in the Summer Greens area. She was released on warning and is expected to return to court on July 16 as authorities continue legal proceedings aimed at removing her from the country.
According to court documents, immigration officer Adrian Jackson told the court that Adetshina and her minor son were located during an investigation and that officials found neither of them possessed valid legal documentation permitting them to remain in South Africa.
Jackson stated that immigration authorities interviewed Adetshina and conducted a review of departmental records before concluding that she no longer has lawful residential status. He subsequently requested the court to approve her detention pending deportation.
The case stems from an earlier decision by South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Leon Schreiber, who in March rejected Adetshina’s application seeking a review of the refusal to issue her a letter of good cause.
According to Schreiber, Adetshina was notified in September 2024 of the government’s intention to cancel both her South African identity documents and those of her son but did not respond to the notice.
The minister further alleged that she obtained a Nigerian passport before applying for a South African visitor’s visa. Authorities reportedly denied the visa application after accusing her of submitting a fraudulent bank statement. Schreiber said she neither appealed the decision nor challenged her subsequent designation as a prohibited person under South African immigration laws.
He also alleged that Adetshina later re-entered South Africa through the Lebombo border from Mozambique while claiming to be a South African citizen. The minister noted that her son’s immigration status is tied to her own.
As part of the conditions attached to her release, Adetshina is required to remain at the address where she was arrested and must notify immigration authorities of any changes to her residence, employment, or travel plans while the matter remains before the court.
The case is expected to resume on July 16, when the court will continue hearing the deportation proceedings.
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