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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Former Miss SA contestant claims unfair targeting amid citizenship battle

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • Chidimma Adetshina, former Miss South Africa contestant and Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner, claims she was unfairly targeted in South Africa amid a legal dispute over her citizenship.
  • Adetshina stated in a video that she was born in South Africa and has followed legal processes, urging South Africans to reject xenophobia and misinformation.
  • The Cape Town Regional Court adjourned her case, challenging deportation proceedings, to February 27, 2027, with Adetshina vowing to respect the legal outcome.

Chidimma Adetshina, a former Miss South Africa contestant and the current Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner, has publicly stated she feels "treated unfairly and targeted" in South Africa. Her comments come amid an ongoing legal battle concerning her citizenship status and potential deportation.

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.

— Chidimma AdetshinaAdetshina explains her emotional stance amid her legal battle in South Africa.

Speaking in a video shared by eNCA, Adetshina asserted that she was born in South Africa and has consistently pursued the correct legal channels to confirm her citizenship. Despite her feelings of unfair treatment, she emphasized her commitment to a non-angry response, stressing the importance of the rule of law guiding the proceedings.

"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 said. She appealed to South Africans to reject xenophobia and misinformation, advocating for individuals to be treated based on their actual status and citizenship. "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. We should all be guided by the spirit of Ubuntu," she added.

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. We should all be guided by the spirit of Ubuntu.

— Chidimma AdetshinaAdetshina urges South Africans to reject xenophobia and misinformation, emphasizing the importance of the rule of law and Ubuntu.

The Cape Town Regional Court has postponed Adetshina's case until February 27, 2027. She is actively contesting efforts to detain her while deportation proceedings are underway. Adetshina maintains her claim of being born in Soweto, South Africa, and has formally applied through the proper legal avenues to establish her status and citizenship. She also expressed gratitude to her family, friends, supporters, and legal team for their unwavering support throughout the ordeal.

Throughout this ordeal I have availed myself of all appropriate legal laws and I will continue to respect and abide by each process.

— Chidimma AdetshinaAdetshina states her commitment to following the legal process regarding her citizenship and potential deportation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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