South African Government has arrested Anabela Rungo, mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, over allegations of fraudulently obtaining a South African identity document.
The Department of Home Affairs who confirmed this in a statement on Saturday, 15 February, 2025, said the operation was conducted by Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service, SAPS.
It said that Rungo, a Mozambican national, was arrested at a hideout in Cape Town on Saturday, 15 February, 2025 in a joint
Siya Qoza, Department spokesperson, stated that Rungo had been declared persona non grata in September 2024 after officials discovered irregularities in her residency status.
“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,” he added
Chidinma Adetshina withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant following controversy surrounding her nationality and allegations of identity theft leveled against her mum.