Chidimma Adetshina’s Mother, Anabela Rungo Arrested Over Identity Fraud In South Africa

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.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, Anabela Rungo, a Mozambican national, was taken into custody on Saturday during a joint operation by Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service.

It was gathered that Chidimma Adetshina’s mother was found at a residence in Cape Town, as reported by local news outlet Sunday World.

Department spokesperson Siya Qoza stated that Rungo had been declared persona non grata in September 2024 after officials discovered irregularities in her residency documents.

Qoza said, “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.”

Her immigration status came under scrutiny after controversy arose regarding her daughter’s participation in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant.

Authorities later determined that Chidimma Adetshina was ineligible to compete as she was not a South African citizen.

At the time of her arrest, Rungo 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 deliberately violating South Africa’s immigration laws despite being declared undesirable.

He said, “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.”

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.

Chidimma Adetshina, who has Nigerian roots, withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition after her citizenship status was questioned.

She later competed in Miss Universe Nigeria, where she emerged as the winner. She went on to finish as the first runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico last November.

KanyiDaily recalls that South Africa authorities are also seeking to revoke the identity and travel documents of Chidimma Adetshina.