South African authorities have arrested Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, for allegedly obtaining a South African identity document through fraudulent means.
The country’s Department of Home Affairs confirmed Rungo’s arrest on Saturday in Cape Town during a joint operation involving Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service (SAPS), according to Sunday World.
Department spokesperson Siya Qoza stated that Rungo, a Mozambican national, had been declared persona non grata in September 2024 after officials discovered irregularities in her residency status.
“Investigators from the department, with the assistance of SAPS, apprehended Anabela Rungo at a residence in Cape Town. Her South African documentation was revoked in September 2024 after it was found to have been fraudulently obtained, making her ineligible to remain in the country,” Qoza said.
Rungo’s immigration status came under scrutiny following controversy over her daughter’s participation in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. It was later determined that Adetshina was ineligible to compete as she was not a South African citizen.
During her arrest, Rungo was reportedly found with Adetshina’s minor child, prompting intervention from the Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Services to ensure the child’s welfare.
Authorities also accused Rungo of deliberately ignoring her “undesirable” status and remaining in the country unlawfully.
“It seems Rungo used her Mozambican passport to circumvent the country’s immigration laws. Further investigations are underway to determine if more fraudulent activities were committed,” Qoza added.
Once processed by Home Affairs for her illegal stay, Rungo will be handed over to SAPS as she is also under investigation by the Hawks.
Adetshina, originally involved in the Miss South Africa pageant, withdrew after her citizenship status was revealed. She later competed in Miss Universe Nigeria, where she won the title and went on to become the first runner-up at the Miss Universe competition in Mexico last November.