Former Miss South Africa contestant and Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner, Chidimma Adetshina, has accused South African authorities of unfairly targeting her as she continues to challenge her possible detention and deportation.
Adetshina spoke on Wednesday after the Cape Town Regional Court postponed proceedings concerning her case.
Speaking to journalists after the court session, the former beauty queen maintained that she was born in South Africa and said she remained confident in the country’s judicial system.
“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.
Adetshina said she had followed the required legal procedures to establish her citizenship and immigration status, while alleging that authorities were attempting to use her case to set an example.
“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.
“South Africa is government by the rule of law and we should not allow xenophobia and misinformation to determine how people are going to be treated.
“We should all be guided by the spirit of Ubuntu. Throughout this ordeal, I have availed myself through all appropriate legal resource and I will continue to respect and abide by each process.”
The Cape Town Regional Court ruled that it could not determine Adetshina’s detention status while proceedings remain before the Western Cape High Court.
The matter has consequently been adjourned until February 2027, with Adetshina continuing to pursue her case through the South African legal system.
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