Fraudulent Residency Scandal: Miss Universe Nigeria's Mother Arrested In South Africa

 

The Department of Home Affairs has detained Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, in Cape Town, South Africa. The arrest, which took place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, was part of an ongoing investigation into fraudulent documentation.

According to the department’s spokesperson, Siya Qoza, investigators from Home Affairs, assisted by the South African Police Service (SAPS), apprehended Rungo at a property in Cape Town.

“The department withdrew Rungo’s South African documentation in September 2024 after determining that it had been fraudulently obtained, making her ineligible to remain in the country,” Qoza stated.

Despite this, Rungo allegedly continued residing in South Africa using her Mozambican passport, prompting further investigation into possible misrepresentation and fraud.

During the operation, officials discovered an under-age child, reportedly Adetshina’s, residing with Rungo. The Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Unit have been engaged to ensure the child’s welfare.

After processing by Home Affairs, Rungo will be handed over to the SAPS, as she is also a subject of an ongoing Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation probe.

Rungo’s arrest comes after a video surfaced showing Chidimma Adetshina dining at a Cape Town restaurant, raising concerns about her ability to re-enter South Africa despite her revoked citizenship.

The controversy surrounding Adetshina began when she entered the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. Online debates emerged regarding her citizenship, leading to a Home Affairs investigation. Authorities later discovered that Rungo, a Mozambican national, had fraudulently obtained a South African identity in 1995, which was subsequently used to secure Adetshina’s documents.

As a result, Home Affairs revoked Rungo’s South African identity and travel documents, barring her from re-entering the country. Further updates on the investigation will be provided in due course.