Chidimma Adetshina was confronted by protesters outside the Cape Town Regional Court as she attended the latest hearing in her ongoing battle against possible deportation from South Africa.
Also see: Court pushes Chidimma Adetshina detention ruling to 2027
The 25-year-old Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner was allegedly born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother. She grew up in South Africa and has repeatedly stressed her deep ties to the country, including raising her son there.
The latest court appearance came after months of uncertainty over her immigration status. The Department of Home Affairs maintains that Chidimma has no valid legal status in South Africa and is seeking her detention pending possible deportation.
Protesters confront Chidimma Adetshina
Members and supporters of anti-illegal immigration groups, including Operation Dudula and March and March, gathered outside the court, calling for Chidimma to leave the country.
The atmosphere became tense after the proceedings, with protesters shouting at her and telling her to “go home.” Chidimma eventually left the court surrounded and protected by family members.
The confrontation has sparked further debate online. Some social media users condemned the hostility directed towards Chidimma. Others questioned her efforts to remain in South Africa amid broader public anger over illegal immigration and alleged identity fraud.
Chidimma Adetshina and her family being assaulted outside the court by a xenophobic mob in South Africa.
She is battling deportation.
She and her mum’s citizenship were revoked over identity theft in 2024. Her mum is Mozambican, while her dad is Nigerian.
In South Africa, one… pic.twitter.com/RjHdSvriYO
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) August 25, 2026
Also see: Picture showing young Chidimma Adetshina allegedly attending Nigerian private school goes viral
Why is Chidimma Adetshina facing deportation?
The dispute dates back to the controversy surrounding Chidimma’s participation in the 2024 Miss South Africa competition.
EWN reported that her South African identity and travel documents were cancelled in October 2024 after an investigation involving her mother, Anabela Carlos Runga. Authorities alleged that Anabela had been fraudulently registered as a South African citizen using another woman’s identity.
Chidimma’s legal team has maintained that she was not implicated in the alleged birth-registration fraud. Her lawyers have also challenged her designation as a prohibited person and are seeking to have her status regularised.
The case has become more complicated following allegations about her re-entry into South Africa. Chidimma was arrested in June after authorities alleged that she had entered the country through the Lebombo border from Mozambique while prohibited from entering South Africa.
She was subsequently released on warning.
Case postponed to February 2027
The Cape Town Regional Court postponed the matter to 27 February 2027, saying it could not determine whether Chidimma should be detained pending deportation while her separate High Court review remains unresolved.
For now, Chidimma remains out of detention. She has been ordered to remain at her current address and report regularly to an immigration officer while the legal process continues.
The case remains closely watched as South Africa grapples with wider debates around immigration, citizenship, identity fraud and xenophobia.
Why can’t she just come back to Nigeria? At this point, is staying in South Africa really worth fighting for?
When you’re constantly being abused, harassed and now potentially physically attacked in the streets, I think your peace and safety should come first. Nigeria is home… https://t.co/l1nd0AYLCD
— Ubi Franklin Ofem (@ubifranklin1) August 25, 2026
Also see: ‘I’ve always felt Nigerian’: Chidimma Adetshina’s ‘national’ pride trends amid deportation case
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp channel for content worth tapping into. Click here to join!
