Cape Town – Former Miss South Africa finalist and Miss Universe Nigeria contestant, Chidimma Adetshina, found herself embroiled in a high-stakes legal battle in the Cape Town Regional Court on Thursday, as she vigorously contests efforts by the Department of Home Affairs to deport her from South Africa. The 25-year-old beauty queen, accompanied by family members, is fighting against the department’s declaration that she is a prohibited person under the Immigration Act, alleging she and her minor son illegally entered the country.
Adetshina’s legal woes began in June when she was arrested in Cape Town by immigration officials. The Department of Home Affairs alleges that she entered South Africa from Mozambique through the Lebombo border, falsely claiming to be a South African citizen. This claim forms the crux of the department’s case, which seeks her deportation and has cast a shadow over her public profile.
The court proceedings on Thursday were heard as a civil matter, with media representatives barred from taking photographs inside the courtroom. Dressed in black, Adetshina maintained a stoic demeanour, declining to comment when approached by News24 after the hearing. Her legal team, represented by De Saude Darbandi Immigration Attorneys, is acting pro bono, but her attorney also declined to comment further on the specifics of the case.
Initially, the matter was adjourned to allow Adetshina’s legal team to finalise an affidavit setting out the basis of her challenge against the deportation order. However, when proceedings resumed, the State requested a postponement. The Department of Home Affairs argued that Adetshina’s affidavit contained significant allegations that necessitated a detailed response from their side. The court granted this request, postponing the matter until Monday to allow the department sufficient time to prepare its reply. The contents of Adetshina’s affidavit remain confidential for now, as it will only become part of the public court record once formally filed.
News24 understands that Adetshina is preparing to file an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court this week. This application aims to secure an interdict to halt her deportation, providing her with a temporary reprieve while the legal battle unfolds. A key aspect of her argument is expected to be that she should not be held responsible for alleged immigration irregularities that are linked to her mother, Anabela Rungo.
Anabela Rungo, Adetshina’s mother, was arrested last year after Home Affairs alleged that her South African identity documents had been fraudulently obtained. Subsequently, Rungo’s South African citizenship was revoked. Adetshina’s legal strategy appears to be an attempt to distance herself from her mother’s alleged transgressions, arguing that any issues with her own immigration status are not a direct result of her own actions but rather a consequence of her mother’s past legal troubles.
This is not the first time Adetshina has faced public scrutiny regarding her citizenship. She first came under the spotlight in 2024 when she qualified as a finalist in the prestigious Miss South Africa pageant. However, controversy surrounding her citizenship status led to her withdrawal from the competition. Despite this setback, she later went on to represent Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant, highlighting her international recognition and appeal.
The case underscores the rigorous enforcement of immigration laws by the Department of Home Affairs and the complexities faced by individuals whose citizenship or residency status comes under question. For Adetshina, a public figure who has achieved national and international recognition, the stakes are particularly high. A deportation order would not only impact her personal life but also her career and future prospects in South Africa.
As the legal proceedings continue, the outcome of this case will be closely watched, not only by the public but also by legal experts and immigration advocates. It raises important questions about individual responsibility versus inherited legal challenges, and the extent to which past family issues can impact a person’s current legal standing in a country. The court’s decision on Monday, following the Department of Home Affairs’ response, will be a critical juncture in Adetshina’s fight to remain in South Africa, a country she has called home and where she has built a significant public presence. The battle for her future in South Africa continues, with her legal team preparing for what promises to be a protracted and closely scrutinised fight against deportation.
