Anabela Rungo, the mother of Chidimma Adetshina, the reigning Miss Universe Nigeria, has been arrested in South Africa for allegedly obtaining a South African identity document through fraudulent means.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, Rungo, a Mozambican national, was apprehended at a hideout in Cape Town on Saturday in a joint operation by Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service.
The arrest comes after Rungo’s residency status was revoked in September 2024 due to irregularities in her documentation. Despite being declared persona non grata, Rungo allegedly continued to reside in South Africa using her Mozambican passport. The Department of Home Affairs has accused Rungo of deliberately defying the country’s immigration laws.
The controversy surrounding Rungo’s immigration status began when her daughter, Chidimma Adetshina, participated in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. It was later revealed that Adetshina was ineligible to contest due to her nationality. Adetshina subsequently withdrew from the competition and went on to win the Miss Universe Nigeria title.
At the time of her arrest, Rungo was reportedly with Adetshina’s minor child. The authorities have engaged the Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Services to ensure the child’s welfare.
The Department of Home Affairs has stated that Rungo will be handed over to the SAPS for further processing and is also the subject of an ongoing Hawks investigation.
The arrest has raised questions about the authenticity of Rungo’s identity documents and the circumstances surrounding her residency in South Africa. The Department of Home Affairs has also confirmed that investigations are ongoing into further potential misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct.
