Former Miss Universe Nigeria and Miss Universe Africa & Oceanic Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina has continued her legal battle against deportation in South Africa, with the Cape Town Regional Court reserving judgment and adjourning the case to August 19, 2026.
Adetshina, born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, had initially contested for the Miss South Africa 2024 crown before withdrawing from the competition amid controversy surrounding her family’s citizenship status.
Her withdrawal followed an investigation by South African authorities into allegations concerning her mother’s identity and citizenship documentation.
In August 2024 , the Department of Home Affairs stated that Adetshina’s mother may have been involved in identity theft.
The controversy also sparked widespread social media attacks on Adetshina because of her Nigerian heritage, in spite of the fact that she was born in South Africa and met the eligibility requirements for the beauty pageant.
Adetshina later accepted an invitation to participate in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, where she emerged winner and represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe 2024 competition.
Adetshina, 25, finished as runner-up at the global pageant and was crown Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, becoming one of Nigeria’s most recognised beauty queens on the international stage.
The South Africa Department of Home Affairs is seeking a court order to keep Adetshina in detention pending her deportation, arguing that she is living in the country unlawfully and does not have valid immigrants status under the country’s Immigration Act.
The department also claims she re-entered South Africa despite previously being declared a “prohibited person”.
Adetshina’s legal team has opposed the application, insisting she has taken steps to regularise her immigration status and that there is no basis to retain her.
Her lawyer argued that she is a high-profile public figure, not a flight risk and had even offered to surrender her South African passport while legal process continues.
The legal dispute stems from the citizenship controversy that erupted during her participation in the Miss South Africa 2024, which she won before finishing as first runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant — the highest placement ever achieved by a Nigerian contestant.
The outcome of the case is expected to determine whether South African authorities can proceed with her deportation or whether she will remain in the country while challenging the government’s decision.
-9News Nigeria.
