Chidimma Adetshina, who was a finalist in Miss South Africa and won the Miss Universe Nigeria title, finds herself embroiled in yet another immigration issue in South Africa. She is currently at risk of deportation after being arrested for allegedly residing in the country without valid documentation, and she is contesting this action as her legal battle unfolds in court.
The situation escalated following the arrest of her mother, Anabela Rungo, in 2025, who was accused of breaching immigration laws. Chidimma Adetshina first appeared in the Cape Town Regional Court on 9 June 2026 after being taken into custody by immigration authorities at her family residence located in Summer Greens.
After her court proceeding, she was released on a warning while her case remains active. She is required to return to court on 16 July, where the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will pursue her deportation. As part of her conditions for release, she must stay at the address of her arrest and notify the investigating officer of any changes regarding her residence, work, or travel during the ongoing case.
How Chidimma Adetshina was arrested
Court documents submitted by immigration officer Adrian Jackson outline the circumstances of Adetshina’s arrest. His affidavit indicates that a DHA investigation revealed she was living with her young son at her family home in Cape Town without the necessary permits.
“After the above ‘status determination’ interview and the DHA residency IT systems checks, it was confirmed that the applicant does not hold any lawful RSA residential status and is thus an illegal foreigner,” Jackson’s affidavit reads.
Adetshina made headlines in 2024 when she was a finalist in the Miss SA competition but later withdrew under controversial circumstances relating to her citizenship status.
Why Chidimma Adetshina faces deportation again
On December 19, 2024, Adetshina was officially deemed a prohibited person under the Immigration Act. The DHA asserts that she reentered South Africa at the Lebombo border from Mozambique while falsely presenting herself as a citizen.
She reportedly entered the country after Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber stated that her application for a South African visitor’s visa was rejected due to a fraudulent bank statement. The Minister mentioned that Adetshina did not respond to the notification from the department.
“On 20 September 2024, you were issued with a Nigerian passport number … whilst you were in Nigeria, and you applied for a South African visitor’s visa, and your application was rejected because you submitted a fraudulent bank statement. You did not appeal the rejection,” Schreiber said.
