South African authorities have clarified the reasons behind the arrest and detention of Anabela Rungo, the mother of Chidimma Adetshina, the reigning Ms. Universe Africa and Oceania. According to Home Affairs officials, Rungo was arrested for remaining in South Africa after her documents were revoked in September 2024 due to allegations of fraudulently acquiring her identity papers.
Rungo was detained in Cape Town during a joint operation between Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service (SAPS). Siya Qoza, spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs, explained that Rungo was declared persona non grata in September 2024 after irregularities in her residency were discovered. “The Department withdrew Rungo’s South African documentation in September 2024 after finding that it had been fraudulently obtained, making her ineligible to stay in the country,” Qoza said.
Despite being declared undesirable, Rungo allegedly continued to defy the country’s immigration laws, using her Mozambican passport to remain in South Africa. Investigations into possible further fraudulent actions are ongoing. Once processed for her illegal stay, Rungo will be handed over to SAPS, as she is also under investigation by the Hawks.
It has been reported that Rungo may face deportation from South Africa.
Immigration lawyer Ashraf Essop explained that once a person’s documentation is invalidated, they have two choices: either leave voluntarily or face detention and deportation. Essop noted that the exact reasons behind the invalidation of Rungo’s documents last September remain unclear, but if she had surrendered her documents voluntarily, arrangements for deportation could have been made.
Rungo’s detention comes after her daughter, Chidimma Adetshina, faced controversy related to her participation in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant last year. Adetshina was initially deemed ineligible to compete due to not being a South African citizen. She later withdrew from the competition amid online bullying but went on to win Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 and became the first runner-up in the Miss Universe 2024 competition, as well as Ms. Universe Africa and Oceania.
