Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has been arrested in South Africa on charges of fraudulently acquiring a South African identity document.
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed Rungo, a Mozambican national, was apprehended on Saturday during a joint operation by Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service in Cape Town, according to local news outlet, Sunday World.
Department spokesperson Siya Qoza explained that Rungo had been declared persona non grata in September 2024 after authorities discovered irregularities regarding her residency status.
“Investigators from the department, assisted by SAPS, detained Anabela Rungo at a property in Cape Town. The Department revoked Rungo’s South African documentation in September 2024 after uncovering that it had been fraudulently obtained, making her ineligible to remain in South Africa,” said Qoza.
Rungo’s immigration status came under scrutiny after her daughter, Adetshina, was involved in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. It was later revealed that Adetshina, despite her participation, was not a South African citizen and was thus ineligible to compete.
When Rungo was arrested, she was reportedly with Adetshina’s minor 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 ignoring the country’s immigration laws despite being declared undesirable.
“It appears that Rungo has violated her ‘undesirable’ status using her Mozambican passport. Investigations into other potential misrepresentation and fraudulent activity are ongoing. After processing by Home Affairs for her illegal stay in South Africa, she will be handed over to SAPS, as she is also under investigation by the Hawks,” Qoza said.
Adetshina, originally from Nigeria, withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition after her immigration status was revealed. She later went on to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria, winning the title. Adetshina also finished as the first runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico last November.
Punch
