Home Affairs, Adetshina Clash Over Identity as Court Reserves Deportation Ruling
CAPE TOWN – The Department of Home Affairs and former beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina presented conflicting arguments in the Cape Town Regional Court on Monday over her identity and immigration status.
Home Affairs argues for detention
The Department of Home Affairs argued that Adetshina is an illegal foreign national with no valid South African documentation and should remain in detention pending deportation proceedings. It further alleged that she obtained Nigerian passports for herself and her minor child before entering South Africa through Mozambique after applying for a South African visa in Lagos.
Defence disputes allegations
Adetshina’s legal team rejected the department’s claims, arguing that she was born in South Africa, has no meaningful ties to Nigeria, and does not pose a flight risk. The defence also submitted that her citizenship is the subject of a separate High Court challenge and that Home Affairs failed to conduct a fair investigation before declaring her documents invalid.
Court encourages settlement
During the proceedings, the magistrate encouraged both parties to resolve the matter without the court’s intervention. However, no agreement was reached.
Judgment reserved
Judgment has been reserved until 19 August, when the court is expected to decide whether Adetshina should remain in detention while deportation proceedings continue.
