Former Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has come under fresh public hostility in South Africa after a group of women allegedly hurled anti-immigrant remarks at her outside a Cape Town court where she is challenging efforts by immigration authorities to deport her.
The incident occurred on Monday as Adetshina appeared before the Cape Town Regional Court for proceedings in her deportation case. The court, however, adjourned the matter until August 19, allowing both parties additional time to prepare their submissions.
Videos circulating on social media captured a group of women directing hostile chants and anti-immigrant remarks at the beauty queen as she arrived at or departed from the court premises. In the footage, the protesters repeatedly told Adetshina to leave South Africa and return to Nigeria, chanting, “Go home, Nigeria is your home. We won’t accept you in South Africa.”
The incident has reignited debate over xenophobia and the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa, particularly migrants from other African countries.
Adetshina was reportedly arrested in Cape Town last month over allegations that she was residing in South Africa without valid immigration status. The country’s Department of Home Affairs is seeking her deportation, while the former beauty queen is contesting the action through legal channels.
Although details of the immigration dispute have not been fully disclosed in court, her legal team is seeking to halt any deportation proceedings pending the determination of the substantive issues surrounding her residency status.
Monday’s hearing did not produce a final ruling, as the court adjourned the case to August 19 for further proceedings.
Outside the courtroom, tensions rose as protesters confronted Adetshina with chants demanding that she leave the country. The viral videos have since generated widespread reactions on social media, with many users expressing concern over the language used against her.
The incident has once again drawn attention to recurring xenophobic sentiments in South Africa, where foreign nationals—particularly those from other African countries—have periodically faced hostility, discrimination and, in some cases, violent attacks.
Human rights advocates have repeatedly called on authorities to address anti-immigrant violence and ensure that disputes over immigration status are handled strictly within the framework of the law without intimidation or harassment.
Supporters of Adetshina have also argued that regardless of the outcome of her immigration case, she is entitled to fair legal proceedings and should not be subjected to public abuse while exercising her constitutional right to challenge administrative decisions before the courts.
Others, however, maintain that immigration laws should be enforced uniformly and that the court process should be allowed to determine the legality of her continued stay in South Africa.
The case has attracted significant public interest because of Adetshina’s profile as a former international beauty queen and the wider conversations surrounding immigration, citizenship and xenophobia in South Africa.
Her legal challenge is expected to continue when the matter returns to the Cape Town Regional Court on August 19.
Until then, immigration authorities are expected to await the court’s decision before taking any further action regarding her status in the country.
The latest courtroom confrontation has further intensified public discussion about the treatment of migrants in South Africa and the need for lawful, respectful and non-discriminatory handling of immigration-related disputes.
