The Cape Town Regional Court has postponed judgment in Chidimma Adetshina’s deportation-related case to February 2027.
The court said it was not in a position to decide while a separate High Court review remains unresolved.
Adetshina, a former Miss South Africa contestant and Miss Universe Nigeria titleholder, has approached the High Court to challenge a Department of Home Affairs decision affecting her immigration status.
Her lawyer said the earliest the High Court review could be heard is May 2027, according to EWN.
Home Affairs seeks detention
The Department of Home Affairs has asked the regional court to confirm Adetshina’s detention while it pursues her possible deportation.
She was arrested in June after allegedly entering South Africa through the Lebombo border from Mozambique without proper documentation.
Adetshina’s legal team has opposed her detention and previously argued that alternatives should be considered.
Her lawyers have also said she is willing to surrender her South African passport and disputed claims that she poses a flight risk.
High Court challenge becomes central
The regional court proceedings have been complicated by Adetshina’s challenge to Home Affairs’ decision declaring her a prohibited person.
Her lawyer, Advocate Giles Barclay-Beuthin, previously said he was confident that the decision would be overturned on review.
Home Affairs previously asked the regional court not to make a ruling that could pre-empt the High Court’s decision.
The department has also alleged that Adetshina had entered South Africa in 2025 despite being on a visa-restricted list. Her legal team disputes aspects of the department’s case.
Legal battle continues
The case follows a two-year dispute involving Adetshina’s citizenship and immigration status.
Questions surrounding her nationality first became public during the 2024 Miss South Africa competition, which she later withdrew from.
The legal dispute has since expanded into questions involving immigration law, administrative decisions and Home Affairs’ powers.
The latest postponement means there is still no final decision on whether Adetshina should be detained pending deportation.
Her High Court review is now central to what happens next, with the regional court expected to revisit the matter in February 2027.