Lawyer for Chidimma Adetshina faces questions over simultaneous role on Immigration Advisory Board

The lawyer representing Chidimma Adetshina has come under public scrutiny for holding a simultaneous advisory role with the Department of Home Affairs, according to IOL. The coverage says the situation has drawn attention because the lawyer is both defending Adetshina in ongoing immigration proceedings and serving on the statutory Immigration Advisory Board.

Who is involved

According to IOL, the immigration lawyer is Stefanie de Saude-Darbandi. IOL reports that De Saude Darbandi Attorneys has provided legal counsel and public commentary on Adetshina’s case since August 2024.

Board appointment and timeline

IOL states that De Saude-Darbandi was appointed to the Immigration Advisory Board on 1 April 2025 and has served as an independent expert on the statutory body for approximately one year and three months. Her appointment followed the government’s decision to reinstate the board, IOL adds.

Lawyer’s response

On the matter, IOL quotes De Saude-Darbandi as saying:

“Behind every headline is a real person, a real family and real legal issues that deserve to be heard fairly.”

Legal framework cited by IOL

IOL’s article presents a legal analysis that the dual role is permissible under South African law. The report says under South African administrative and constitutional law, this dual arrangement is entirely legal and structured deliberately.

Advisory role only

IOL cites Section 4 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, stating the board functions purely to advise the Minister on macro-level policy and has absolutely no executive powers, including no authority over individual administrative decisions or deportation orders.

Composition and private practice

According to IOL, the Act requires the 13-member board to include independent industry experts chosen for their private immigration law experience. IOL reports that appointees do not become state employees; they serve in their personal capacities while maintaining their private practices.

Recusal and ethics

IOL reports that statutory boards operate under strict ethical governance rules and says that if a policy matter directly overlaps with an active file handled by her firm, De Saude-Darbandi is legally required to declare the interest and recuse herself from related board deliberations.

What IOL says is at stake

IOL notes De Saude-Darbandi has been defending Adetshina against efforts to revoke her identity documents and in ongoing deportation proceedings while serving on the advisory board.

The reporting frames the situation as a matter of public scrutiny and legal governance, presenting the statutory basis cited above for why the arrangement is lawful and the procedural safeguards that IOL says apply.