Former Miss South Africa contestant and Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, is expected to appear in the Cape Town Regional Court on Monday as she challenges deportation proceedings following her arrest last month.
Adetshina was arrested in Cape Town after authorities alleged that she was residing in South Africa illegally.
The case follows a decision by the Department of Home Affairs two years ago to revoke the South African identity documents of both Adetshina and her mother after they failed to provide reasons why the documents should not be withdrawn.
Adetshina also withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant amid widespread public controversy over her nationality.
In a statement, the Department of Home Affairs said investigators, assisted by the South African Police Service (SAPS), arrested Adetshina's mother, Anabela Rungo, during an operation at a property in Cape Town.
According to the department, Rungo's South African documentation was withdrawn in September 2024 after investigators concluded that it had been fraudulently obtained, rendering her ineligible to remain in the country.
Home Affairs alleges that despite being declared an undesirable person, Rungo continued residing in South Africa by using a Mozambican passport. The department said investigations into further allegations of fraud and misrepresentation are ongoing.
During the operation, officials from the department's Counter Corruption and Immigration Services branches also discovered Adetshina's minor child living with Rungo.
The department said that once Rungo has been processed for her alleged unlawful residence in South Africa, she will be handed over to the SAPS, as she is also the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).
Home Affairs said it is working closely with the Department of Social Development and the SAPS Child Protection Unit to ensure the welfare and protection of the minor child.
The department added that it would provide further updates on the matter when appropriate and would not be conducting interviews while the legal process is underway.
Adetshina's appearance in court is expected to mark the latest development in the high-profile immigration case, which has attracted significant public attention since questions over her citizenship first emerged.