Chidimma Adetshina, forced to flee a hostile crowd outside a Cape Town courtroom, condemned her deportation battle as unfair and a targeted campaign against her.

The Cape Town Regional Court on Wednesday postponed her detention hearing to February 2027, citing a pending High Court review application that will determine the core of her immigration status. Adetshina, released on warning after her June 2026 arrest, must stay at her registered address and report to immigration officers regularly.

Protesters from Operation Dudula and the March and March movement gathered outside the courthouse, chanting “go home”. Adetshina sprinted into the building to evade the group and later exited under the protection of family members.

“Firstly, I would like to say that I am grateful that I once again have been able to get an opportunity to have my faith in our courts, and I remind everyone that I was born in South Africa,” Adetshina told reporters after the proceedings.

The former Miss Universe Nigeria winner stated that she has pursued proper legal channels to resolve her citizenship status. “I have applied through the proper legal channels to have my status and citizenship determined. I believe that I have been treated unfairly and targeted and there has been an attempt to make me an example, but my message is not going to be one out of anger,” she said.

The legal standoff hinges on the Department of Home Affairs’ decision to declare her a prohibited person and withdraw her South African ID. State Advocate Motlalepule Rantho represented the government, while Adetshina’s team, led by Stefanie de Saude-Darbandi and Barclay Beuthin, is challenging that declaration in the Western Cape High Court. The Regional Court ruled it cannot confirm her detention until that separate review is concluded.

Adetshina left South Africa in 2024 to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, which she ultimately won. She was arrested shortly after re-entering the country earlier this year.

“South Africa is government by the rule of law and we should not allow xenophobia and misinformation to determine how people are going to be treated,” Adetshina explained.

“We should all be guided by the spirit of Ubuntu. Throughout this ordeal, I have availed myself through all appropriate legal resource and I will continue to respect and abide by each process,” she said.