South African authorities have arrested Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, for allegedly fraudulently obtaining a South African identity document.
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed Rungo, a Mozambican national, was apprehended at a hideout in Cape Town on Saturday in a joint operation with the South African Police Service (SAPS), according to Sunday World.
Key details:
- Rungo was declared persona non grata in September 2024 after irregularities in her residency status were discovered.
- She was found with Adetshina’s minor child at the time of her arrest, prompting child protection authorities to intervene.
- Authorities accuse Rungo of defying her immigration ban by using a Mozambican passport.
- Investigations are ongoing, and she may face further legal action.
The controversy began after Adetshina was disqualified from the Miss South Africa beauty pageant due to her citizenship status. She later won Miss Universe Nigeria and finished as first runner-up at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico.
