Chidimma Adetshina’s mother, Anabela Rungo, has been arrested in Cape Town by law enforcement authorities in South Africa. The Department of Home Affairs, assisted by the South African Police Service, detained Rungo after discovering that her South African documentation had been fraudulently obtained. This rendered her ineligible to continue residing in South Africa. The situation is further complicated by the discovery of Adetshina’s young child living with Rungo.
The Department of Home Affairs is working with the SAPS and the Department of Social Development to ensure the child’s safety and well-being. The controversy surrounding Adetshina’s citizenship arose during her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant, leading to questions about her nationality and allegations of identity fraud committed by her mother. Adetshina later withdrew from the competition but went on to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria, where she won the crown and achieved notable success in the Miss Universe Pageant.
Law enforcement authorities in South Africa have detained Anabela Rungo, the mother of Chidimma Adetshina. The Department of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the South African Police Service, arrested Rungo in Cape Town on Saturday morning. The department had withdrawn Rungo’s South African documentation in September 2024 after discovering that it had been fraudulently obtained, making her ineligible to continue residing in South Africa.
Despite her “undesirable” status, Rungo allegedly defied the consequences of her actions by using her Mozambican passport. The Department of Home Affairs has launched investigations into potential misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct.
The situation took a concerning turn when it was discovered that Adetshina’s young child was living with Rungo at the property in Cape Town. As a result, the Department of Home Affairs is working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Department of Social Development to ensure the safety and well-being of the child.
“The department is liaising with social development and the SAPS Child Protection Unit to safeguard the interests of the minor child,” stated a department spokesperson. “Rungo will be handed over to the SAPS for further legal processing, and she remains the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Hawks.”
The controversy surrounding Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship arose during her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant last year. Questions were raised about her nationality due to her name and her mother’s background. Adetshina, who has Nigerian and Mozambican heritage, clarified that she was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent. However, the investigation by the Department of Home Affairs revealed allegations of identity fraud committed by her mother, leading to further scrutiny. In response to these revelations, Adetshina made the decision to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition. She later competed in Miss Universe Nigeria, where she won the crown and went on to secure the title of first runner-up in the 2024 Miss Universe Pageant. Additionally, she was crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania.
The arrest of Anabela Rungo and the ongoing investigation highlight the complexities surrounding Chidimma Adetshina’s citizenship and the need for thorough examination of identity documentation. The authorities are committed to ensuring the safety of Adetshina’s child and conducting a comprehensive investigation into the allegations of identity fraud.
