Former Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina was arrested in the Summer Greens area of Cape Town earlier this month on charges relating to her legal status in the country. Adetshina appeared before the Cape Town Regional Court on 9 June 2026, where she was released on a warning ahead of further legal proceedings.
Investigation And Legal Status
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has initiated formal deportation proceedings, alleging that Adetshina is an illegal foreigner. Immigration officer Adrian Jackson filed an affidavit with the court stating that a department review, which included a status determination interview and residency system checks, confirmed she holds no lawful residential status.
After the above ‘status determination’ interview and the DHA residency IT systems checks, it was confirmed that the applicant does not hold any lawful RSA residential status and is thus an illegal foreigner.
Authorities further allege she entered the country through the Lebombo border post while presenting herself as a South African citizen. Mr Jackson submitted that the evidence points to a wilful and intentional violation of the Immigration Act 13 of 2022 by remaining in the country without authorisation.
Context And Background
This legal action follows the revocation of Adetshina and her minor son’s South African identity documents following a public controversy regarding her citizenship during the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant. She was subsequently declared a “prohibited person” in South Africa on 19 December 2024, a development that saw her withdraw from the local competition before later winning the Miss Universe Nigeria title.
The state’s application for her deportation is set to be heard in court again on 16 July 2026. Legal representatives for the state and the defence are expected to submit further arguments before the court makes a final determination on her residency status.