By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidinma Adetshina, has been arrested by South African authorities on charges of fraudulently obtaining a South African identity document.
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed the arrest, stating that Rungo, a Mozambican national, was detained at a property in Cape Town after an operation involving both Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Siya Qoza, the department’s spokesperson, said, “Investigators from the department, assisted by SAPS, detained Anabela Rungo at a property in Cape Town.”
He added, “Rungo had been declared persona non grata in September 2024 after officials discovered irregularities in her residency status.
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.”
This arrest follows a previous controversy surrounding Chidinma Adetshina’s nationality, which led to her withdrawal from the Miss South Africa pageant due to allegations of identity theft involving her mother.
