South African authorities have arrested Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, for allegedly fraudulently acquiring a South African identity document.
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed that Rungo, a Mozambican citizen, was apprehended on Saturday in Cape Town during a joint operation with the South African Police Service, according to local news outlet, Sunday World.
Department spokesperson Siya Qoza stated that Rungo had been declared persona non grata in September 2024 after officials discovered discrepancies in her residency status.
“Investigators from the department, supported by SAPS, apprehended Anabela Rungo at a Cape Town property. Rungo’s South African documentation was revoked in September 2024 after it was found to have been fraudulently obtained, making her ineligible to stay in South Africa,” said Qoza.
Rungo’s situation came under scrutiny following controversy over her daughter’s participation in the Miss South Africa pageant, as it was later revealed that Adetshina was not a South African citizen and thus ineligible to compete.
When Rungo was arrested, she was reportedly with Adetshina’s young child, prompting authorities to involve the Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Services to ensure the child’s safety.
Qoza accused Rungo of deliberately violating immigration laws despite being declared undesirable.
“It seems that Rungo has ignored her ‘undesirable’ status using her Mozambican passport. Investigations into potential further fraud and misrepresentation are ongoing.
After processing by Home Affairs for her illegal stay, she will be handed over to SAPS, as she is also under investigation by the Hawks,” he added.
Chidimma Adetshina, originally from Nigeria, withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant after the immigration issue came to light, later competing in and winning Miss Universe Nigeria. She went on to finish as the first runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico last November.
