Rumours that Chidimma Adetshina has been spotted in Cape Town have set social media alight.
Chidimma Adetshina’s alleged return to South Africa
The beauty queen, once a frontrunner for the Miss South Africa 2024 crown, left the country following a xenophobic campaign against her and later found success in Nigeria, winning Miss Universe Nigeria before placing second at Miss Universe 2024.
There is no verified evidence that Adetshina is currently in South Africa. However, anti-immigration group Operation Dudula released a statement claiming they had confirmed her presence in the country, despite her previous vow never to return.
Adetshina’s name has long been linked to a fraud probe after Home Affairs revoked her South African ID and passport, alleging her mother, Anabela Rungo, used stolen identity documents to register her as a citizen.
Rungo was arrested in Cape Town in May for allegedly remaining in the country illegally on a Mozambican passport after her South African citizenship was cancelled.
Authorities also accused her of further fraudulent activities, and an underage child was found in her care at the time of her arrest.
It remains unclear how Adetshina could have re-entered the country, if she is indeed back, with questions over whether she used a Nigerian passport or other means.
Rift with Miss Universe Nigeria organisers
The speculation over her location comes as Adetshina appears to have severed ties with the Miss Universe Nigeria organisation.
She has unfollowed them on social media, announced she would not attend the upcoming grand finale, and claimed in an Instagram Live comment that she was “ditched” by organisers after her win.
She also publicly supported fellow Nigerian beauty queen Nyekachi Douglas, saying, “I STAND WITH YOU!! You deserve every opportunity to compete… TELL YOUR STORY!”
In a statement shared via Instagram Stories, Adetshina addressed ongoing criticism.
She clarified that she was reflecting on events from the previous year and urged the public to allow her to “celebrate every moment, the good and the bad” as she approaches “the end of my journey.”
She wrote:
“You guys should allow a person to reflect in peace. It’s been a year and I’m more grateful than ever because my plans didn’t work for me but God’s plans did… How am I being ungrateful when I’m literally living in answered prayers!”