Former Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina has told the Cape Town Regional Court that South Africa is the only home she has ever known as she continues to challenge the Department of Home Affairs over her citizenship, detention and possible deportation, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The 25-year-old beauty queen is opposing legal proceedings after she was arrested in Cape Town in June. According to The Times, Home Affairs argues that she does not have lawful immigration status and should remain in detention while deportation proceedings continue.
According to court proceedings, Adetshina’s legal team submitted an affidavit outlining the steps she has taken to regularise her status. TimeLIVE reports her lawyer argued that she should not be treated as a foreign national because she was born and raised in South Africa and has no meaningful ties elsewhere.
The case follows the nationality controversy that saw Adetshina withdraw from the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant after questions emerged over her citizenship. Home Affairs later said there was prima facie evidence that her mother may have committed identity fraud when registering her birth. Adetshina subsequently represented Nigeria at Miss Universe, where she finished as first runner-up.
In a recent social media post, Adetshina acknowledged the emotional toll of the legal battle, saying she felt exhausted, burnt out and depressed, adding that she would continue fighting the case. Magistrate Reema Khorana postponed judgment until 19 August after hearing arguments from both parties.
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Chidimma Adetshina deportation case deepens after Cape Town arrest
Picture: @chichi_vanessaa
