Beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina is challenging South African authorities who are seeking her deportation, asserting that she was born in the country and feels she has been unfairly targeted. Officials declared Adetshina, 25, a prohibited person in 2024 and are pursuing her detention.
Adetshina, whose mother is of Mozambican descent and father is Nigerian, had her South African identity documents revoked. This action followed questions raised about her citizenship during her participation in the 2024 Miss South Africa competition. She subsequently left the country. In June, she was arrested and later released on warning, accused of re-entering South Africa unlawfully.
The government's legal case seeking her detention was postponed until next year, following a hearing in Cape Town on Wednesday. Adetshina stated that she believes South African authorities have attempted to make an example of her.
"I remind everyone that I was born in South Africa. I have applied through the proper legal channels to have my status and citizenship determined," Adetshina said after the hearing. She also commented that "we should not allow xenophobia and misinformation to determine how people are going to be treated," in apparent reference to protesters who gathered outside the court calling for her removal. The protest was reportedly led by the anti-migrant group March and March.