South African authorities have arrested Anabela Rungo, mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina on charges related to the fraudulent acquisition of a South African identity document.
She was taken into custody in Cape Town in a joint operation by Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service.
The spokesman of the Department of Home Affairs, Siya Qoza revealed that Rungo had been declared persona non grata in September 2024 after officials uncovered irregularities in her residency.
“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,” Qoza stated.
Recall that Rungo’s immigration status came under scrutiny amid controversy over her daughter’s participation in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant.
Authorities later determined that Adetshina did not meet the citizenship requirements, leading to her withdrawal from the competition.
She later competed in Miss Universe Nigeria and went on to secure the first runner-up position at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico last November.
At the time of her arrest, Rungo was reportedly with Adetshina’s minor child, prompting intervention from the Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Services to ensure the child’s well-being.
Qoza further accused Rungo of knowingly disregarding South African immigration laws.
“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,” he added.
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