Supporters of the March and March movement gathered outside the Cape Town Regional Court on Wednesday, demanding that former Miss South Africa finalist and Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner, Chidimma Adetshina, leave South Africa as her immigration case came before the court.
In several viral videos seen by Diaspora Tales, the protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, called for Adetshina’s departure from the country as the court considered her immigration status and her bid to prevent her detention pending deportation proceedings.
Adetshina appeared before the court as her legal battle to remain in South Africa continued. The case, which initially centred on her citizenship and eligibility to participate in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant, has since expanded into a dispute over immigration laws, detention powers and disputed identity documents.
According to South African media outlet IOL, the Department of Home Affairs told the court that Adetshina has no valid legal status in the country and is seeking authority to detain her pending deportation.
It said that the department had earlier withdrawn her South African identity documents following an investigation into alleged irregularities involving documents linked to Adetshina and her mother.
But Home Affairs later said its investigation uncovered prima facie indications of fraud and identity theft involving her mother’s documentation.
The department noted that Adetshina was a child at the time of the alleged wrongdoing and could not have been involved, maintaining that she has no valid basis to remain in South Africa.
After her legal team argued that she had strong ties to South Africa and that her immigration status could be regularised, particularly because she was born in the country, the court then postponed judgment in the matter to February 27, 2027.
Ayoola Olasupo is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with six years of experience reporting on metro, crime, human-interest interviews, politics, and feature stories. He focuses on amplifying underrepresented voices and producing stories that promote justice, empathy, and informed public dialogue. Ayoola’s reporting reflects practical newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a dedication to accurate, impactful, and socially conscious journalism.
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