Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina – victim of South Africa’s xenophobic sentiments has been arrested in Cape Town, South Africa.
The arrest was made on charges of fraudulently acquiring a South African identity document. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed the arrest took place on Saturday, February 15.
The operation involved Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service.
Siya Qoza, Department spokesperson, explained that Mrs. Rungo, a Mozambican national but married to a Nigerian, was 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,” Qoza said. “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.”
At the time of Rungo’s arrest, Chidimma’s pre-wedlock minor child was with her. Authorities contacted the Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Services to ensure the child’s safety and care.
Legal Status Under Scrutiny
Rungo’s legal status came under scrutiny after controversy arose around Chidimma’s participation in the Miss South Africa pageant in 2024. It was claimed that Chidinmma was ineligible to compete as she did not hold South African citizenship.
READ ALSO | Chidinma Onwe Crowned Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 After Withdrawing from Miss South Africa
Qoza criticized Rungo, stating she intentionally disregarded South Africa’s immigration laws. “It appears that Rungo has defied her ‘undesirable’ status through her Mozambican passport,” he said. “Investigations are ongoing into further potential misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct.”
Qoza added, “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.”
Chidimma, due to the outcry against her in South Africa, withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant. Competing in Nigeria weeks later, she came tops, winning the Miss Universe Nigeria and justifying her crown by finishing first runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico last November.
During that time, there was a massive campaign in South Africa to vote her down.
No comment has been issued by the Adetshina family regarding this latest development.
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