South African authorities have arrested Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, on charges related to the fraudulent acquisition of a South African identity document.
The high-profile arrest has garnered widespread attention.
The country’s Department of Home Affairs confirmed Rungo’s detention, stating that she was apprehended on Saturday in Cape Town during a coordinated operation by immigration officials and the South African Police Service (SAPS). Local media outlet Sunday World reported the incident, citing official sources.
Siya Qoza, spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs, disclosed that Rungo, a Mozambican national, had been declared persona non grata in September 2024 after authorities uncovered irregularities in her residency status.
“Investigators from the department, assisted by SAPS, detained Anabela Rungo at a property in Cape Town. The Department withdrew Rungo’s South African documentation in September 2024 after finding that it had been fraudulently obtained, rendering her ineligible to continue residing in South Africa,” Qoza stated.
Rungo’s immigration status came under scrutiny amid controversy over her daughter’s participation in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant.
Authorities later determined that Adetshina did not meet the citizenship requirements, leading to her withdrawal from the competition. She later competed in Miss Universe Nigeria and went on to secure the first runner-up position at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico last November.
At the time of her arrest, Rungo was reportedly with Adetshina’s minor child, prompting intervention from the Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Services to ensure the child’s well-being.
Qoza further accused Rungo of knowingly disregarding South African immigration laws.
“It appears that Rungo has defied her ‘undesirable’ status through her Mozambican passport. Investigations are ongoing into further potential misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct.
“After being processed by Home Affairs over her illegal continued residence in South Africa, she will be handed over to SAPS, as she is also the subject of an ongoing Hawks investigation,” he added.
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