‘I have been unfairly treated’ — Chidimma Adetshina laments deportation attempt

Chidimma Adetshina, the winner of Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 and a former Miss South Africa contestant, has accused South African authorities of unfair treatment and targeting her. Her remarks came after the Cape Town Regional Court postponed proceedings in her potential deportation case.

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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.

Adetshina asserted that she was born in South Africa and has pursued the correct legal avenues to establish her citizenship and status. She believes she is being made an example of, but stressed that her message is not one 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," she stated, urging adherence to the spirit of Ubuntu.

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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.

The Cape Town Regional Court ruled it could not decide on Adetshina's detention pending proceedings at the Western Cape High Court. The case has been adjourned until February 2027, as Adetshina continues to navigate the legal system. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have faith in the country's courts.

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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.