Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe runner-up Chidimma Adetshina, has been detained in Cape Town by the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Home Affairs confirms Chidimma Adetshina’s mother is in custody
Rungo was arrested at a residence following an investigation into her continued stay in the country after her South African documentation was revoked in 2024 for fraud.
Authorities confirmed that Rungo had been stripped of her South African citizenship after it was discovered that she obtained her documentation fraudulently.
Despite being declared “undesirable” in South Africa, she allegedly remained in the country using a Mozambican passport.
Officials also revealed that an underage child was found living with Rungo at the time of her arrest. Home Affairs is working with the Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Unit regarding the child’s welfare.
Following her processing by immigration officials, Rungo will be handed over to the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation), as she is also under investigation for additional fraudulent activities.
Where does this leave Chidimma?
Chidimma Adetshina’s name has been at the centre of a fraud probe since it was revealed that her mother allegedly used a stolen identity to register her as a South African citizen. The investigation, which uncovered identity theft dating back to 2001, led to Adetshina’s South African ID and passport being revoked.
Despite losing her South African citizenship, Adetshina was recently spotted in Cape Town. A viral video showing her dining at Life Grand Café sparked questions about how she re-entered the country. It remains unclear whether she entered on a Nigerian passport or through other means.
The Home Affairs investigation has also implicated officials who facilitated the fraudulent registration of Adetshina’s birth, with two currently under scrutiny and another confirmed deceased.
While Adetshina gained global recognition after finishing as Miss Universe 2024’s first runner-up, her legal troubles remain unresolved. The Hawks are now actively involved in the probe, with potential fraud charges looming over both Rungo and Adetshina.
