Former Miss South Africa contestant and Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner, Chidimma Adetshina, said she has been treated unfairly and targeted in South Africa, following the postponement of her legal case challenging her potential deportation and detention.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 after the Cape Town Regional Court postponed the case, she reminded the public that she was born in the country.
The former beauty queen said she remained confident in the South African judicial system and would continue to pursue the matter through legal channels.
“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,” she said.
“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.
“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.
“We should all be guided by the spirit of Ubuntu. Throughout this ordeal, I have availed myself through all appropriate legal resource and I will continue to respect and abide by each process.”
The Cape Town Regional Court ruled that it cannot make a decision to confirm her detention pending the case at the Western Cape High Court.
The matter has been postponed to February 2027.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 after the Cape Town Regional Court postponed the case, she reminded the public that she was born in the country.
The former beauty queen said she remained confident in the South African judicial system and would continue to pursue the matter through legal channels.
“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,” she said.
“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.
“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.
“We should all be guided by the spirit of Ubuntu. Throughout this ordeal, I have availed myself through all appropriate legal resource and I will continue to respect and abide by each process.”
The Cape Town Regional Court ruled that it cannot make a decision to confirm her detention pending the case at the Western Cape High Court.
The matter has been postponed to February 2027.
