‘I’m depresed, but I won’t give up’: Chidimma reacts to South Africa deportation bid

Former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina has vowed to continue fighting after a South African court postponed a crucial decision in her deportation case until August 19.

Adetshina, who described herself as “exhausted, burnt out and depressed,” is opposing an attempt by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs to detain and deport her over allegations that she is living in the country illegally.

The 25-year-old appeared before the Cape Town Regional Court on Monday, where Magistrate Reema Khorana reserved judgment on whether she should be detained pending deportation.

The postponement followed the failure of Adetshina and Home Affairs officials to reach an out-of-court settlement despite the magistrate encouraging both sides to resolve the dispute.

Reacting after the proceedings, Adetshina wrote on Instagram: “Exhausted — yes. Burnt out — yes. Depressed — yes. Will I give up? No! We no dey carry last. See you next month.”

Adetshina was arrested in Cape Town in June after immigration authorities accused her of returning to South Africa despite being declared a prohibited person.

The state maintained that she is an undocumented foreign national and urged the court to order her detention while deportation proceedings continue.

Prosecutors alleged that Adetshina obtained Nigerian passports for herself and her child in Lagos, secured a South African visa and entered the country through Mozambique.

They also claimed she still possesses a South African passport which she has refused to surrender.

Her legal team rejected the allegations, insisting that she was born in South Africa and has no significant connection to Nigeria beyond her father’s nationality.

The lawyers accused the Department of Home Affairs of invalidating her documents without conducting a fair investigation and argued that she is not a flight risk.

They also informed the court that the disputed citizenship decision is already being challenged separately before the High Court.

The proceedings were further complicated by a recent Western Cape High Court decision concerning the authority of magistrates to issue immigration detention warrants.

Adetshina has faced intense scrutiny over her nationality since entering the Miss South Africa competition in 2024.

She withdrew from the pageant after questions surrounding her citizenship triggered a heated public controversy and threats against her and her family.

The Silverbird Group subsequently invited her to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria, where she emerged as the winner.

Adetshina represented Nigeria at the 2024 Miss Universe competition and finished as first runner-up—the highest placement ever achieved by a Nigerian contestant.

Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina must now wait until August 19 to learn whether she will be detained while South African authorities pursue her deportation.