Former Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has spoken out after a South African court postponed its ruling on whether she should be detained pending deportation, admitting she is “exhausted, burnt out and depressed” but remains determined to continue fighting her case.

The legal proceedings resumed on Monday over Adetshina’s immigration status after she was arrested in Cape Town in June over allegations that she is residing illegally in South Africa.

During the hearing, prosecutors argued that the 25-year-old is an undocumented foreign national and urged the court to detain her while deportation processes continue.

The South African government alleged that Adetshina obtained Nigerian passports for herself and her child in Lagos, secured a South African visa, and re-entered the country through Mozambique. Prosecutors also claimed she still possesses a South African passport and has refused to surrender it.

However, Adetshina’s legal team rejected the allegations, insisting she was born in South Africa and has no meaningful ties to Nigeria.

Her lawyers argued that the Department of Home Affairs failed to conduct a fair investigation before cancelling her documents and maintained that she poses no flight risk.

They also noted that her citizenship status is already being challenged in a separate High Court case.

Failed negotiations

Magistrate Reema Khorana encouraged both parties to reach an out-of-court settlement, but negotiations failed.

The proceedings were further complicated by a recent Western Cape High Court judgment which ruled that magistrates do not have the legal authority to issue arrest warrants for immigration detention, as that power belongs solely to immigration officers.

Following arguments from both sides, the magistrate reserved judgment until August 19, when the court is expected to decide whether Adetshina should remain in detention pending the outcome of deportation proceedings.

Reacting after the hearing, Adetshina shared an emotional message on her Instagram Stories.

“Exhausted – Yes. Burnt out – Yes. Depressed – Yes. Will I give up? No! We no dey carry last. See you next month.”

Adetshina has been at the centre of a citizenship controversy since participating in the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant, where questions over her nationality sparked nationwide debate.

She later withdrew from the competition, citing safety concerns for herself and her family.

She was subsequently invited by the Silverbird Group to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, where she emerged winner before representing Nigeria at the Miss Universe pageant and finishing as first runner-up, the highest placement ever achieved by a Nigerian contestant.

Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father of Igbo descent and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina’s citizenship remains the subject of legal and public scrutiny in South Africa.