The protesters gathered outside the Cape Town Regional Court on Wednesday as Chidimma Adetshina returned to court in her ongoing battle with South African authorities over her immigration status has a clear message: “Chidimma, go home.” Members of anti-immigration groups, including Operation Dudula and March and March, gathered outside the court and called for Adetshina to leave South Africa. Reports from the scene said protesters confronted her as she arrived, adding to the already tense atmosphere surrounding the case.

Inside the courtroom, however, there was no final ruling on her deportation.

The Cape Town Regional Court postponed proceedings until February 2027, saying it was not in a position to determine the matter while a related review application remains before the Western Cape High Court.

The case centres on the South African government’s attempt to detain Adetshina pending possible deportation. She was arrested in June after authorities alleged that she had re-entered South Africa without valid immigration status. Her lawyers have challenged her detention and argued that alternatives, including regular reporting to immigration officials, should be considered.

The dispute has its roots in the controversy that surrounded Adetshina during the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant. Questions over her citizenship and the registration of her birth ultimately led to her withdrawal from the competition. She later represented Nigeria at Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, winning the title before finishing as first runner-up at Miss Universe.

Now, the woman who became a symbol of Nigerian pride on the international pageant stage is at the centre of another, much more complicated conversation about nationality and belonging in South Africa.

Adetshina was born in South Africa and has repeatedly argued that she has deep ties to the country. South African authorities, however, maintain that she does not currently have the immigration status required to remain there.

For now, the courts have bought her more time.

The protesters outside the courthouse may have made their position clear, but legally, the question of whether Adetshina can remain in South Africa is still unresolved.

The next major development is expected from the Western Cape High Court, with the Regional Court matter now pushed into 2027.