South African authorities have arrested Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, on charges of fraudulently acquiring a South African identity document.
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed Rungo’s arrest at a hideout in Cape Town on Saturday. This operation was carried out jointly by Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service (SAPS), according to local news platform Sunday World.
Department spokesperson Siya Qoza explained that Rungo, a Mozambican national, had been declared persona non grata in September 2024 after irregularities were found in her residency status.
“Rungo was detained at a property in Cape Town by investigators from our department, supported by SAPS. We revoked her South African documentation in September 2024 after determining that it had been fraudulently obtained, rendering her ineligible to reside in South Africa,” Qoza said.
Rungo’s situation came under scrutiny following the controversy surrounding her daughter’s participation in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. It was later revealed that Adetshina, who had entered the contest, was not a South African citizen and therefore ineligible to compete.
At the time of her arrest, Rungo was reportedly with Adetshina’s minor child. In response, the authorities involved the Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Services to ensure the child’s well-being.
Qoza accused Rungo of deliberately violating South Africa’s immigration laws despite being declared undesirable.
“It seems Rungo has continued to defy her ‘undesirable’ status using her Mozambican passport. Investigations are ongoing to explore further possible misrepresentation and fraudulent activities,” he added.
After processing for her illegal stay in the country, Rungo will be handed over to SAPS. She is also the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Hawks.
The Telegraph reports that Adetshina, originally from Nigeria, withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant after the immigration issue was revealed. She later competed in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, where she emerged as the winner. Adetshina went on to finish as first runner-up in the Miss Universe competition in Mexico last November.
