South African authorities arrested Chidimma Adetshina in June 2026. The Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner and Miss Universe 2024 first runner-up faced charges of living in the country illegally. Officials from the Department of Home Affairs pursued her deportation after the incident.
Chidimma Adetshina was born in Soweto township. She entered the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant as a finalist but withdrew amid public scrutiny over her Nigerian heritage.
Her father held Nigerian roots while her mother, Anabela Rungo, faced earlier arrest on immigration and identification fraud charges. South African officials later revoked Adetshina’s documents in 2024 after investigations revealed alleged identity theft in her birth registration.
Adetshina then competed in Nigeria. She won the Miss Universe Nigeria title and placed as first runner-up at the international Miss Universe pageant. She obtained a Nigerian passport during that period.
Immigration officials detained Adetshina in the Summer Greens area of Cape Town earlier in June 2026. They found her and her minor son at the family home without valid residency status. Adetshina appeared before the Cape Town Regional Court on June 9. The court released her on a warning. She must return on July 16 as proceedings continue.
Immigration officer Adrian Jackson filed an affidavit in court. Jackson stated that status determination interviews and Department of Home Affairs system checks confirmed Adetshina held no lawful residency. He described her as an illegal foreigner who remained in South Africa in violation of the Immigration Act.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber noted earlier notifications to Adetshina about document cancellation. He added that she applied for a visitor visa with allegedly fraudulent documents, which led to her classification as a prohibited person. Authorities confiscated her travel and identification papers.
The case highlighted ongoing tensions around citizenship verification in South Africa. Proceedings remained active as officials moved forward with deportation efforts.
