Former Miss South Africa contestant and Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner, Chidimma Adetshina, has said she believes she has been unfairly treated and targeted in South Africa amid an ongoing legal battle over her status in the country.
Adetshina spoke to journalists on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, after the Cape Town Regional Court postponed proceedings concerning her potential detention and deportation.
The former beauty queen reminded the public that she was born in South Africa and said she remained confident in the country’s judicial system.
She explained that she had followed the appropriate legal channels to have her citizenship and immigration status determined and would continue to pursue the matter through the courts.
“Firstly, I would like to say that I am grateful that I once again have been able to get an opportunity to have my faith in our courts, and I remind everyone that I was born in South Africa,” she said.
“I have applied through the proper legal channels to have my status and citizenship determined. I believe that I have been treated unfairly and targeted and there has been an attempt to make me an example, but my message is not going to be one out of anger.”
Adetshina also called for the issue to be handled within the framework of the law, warning against allowing xenophobia and misinformation to influence how people are treated.
“South Africa is governed by the rule of law and we should not allow xenophobia and misinformation to determine how people are going to be treated,” she said.
She further appealed for the principles of Ubuntu to guide the handling of the matter.
“We should all be guided by the spirit of Ubuntu. Throughout this ordeal, I have availed myself through all appropriate legal resources and I will continue to respect and abide by each process.”
Case Adjourned to 2027
The Cape Town Regional Court ruled that it could not make a decision confirming Adetshina’s detention while the matter remains before the Western Cape High Court.
The case has subsequently been postponed until February 2027.
Adetshina said she would continue to pursue the matter through the appropriate legal channels while respecting the decisions and processes of the courts.