Miss Universe Africa Chidinma Adetshina.( Pic: Gettyimages)
(EPICSTORIAN) — South African immigration officials have detained Anabela Rungo, mother of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania 2024, Chidinma Adetshina, on allegations of identity fraud.
The Department of Home Affairs confirmed her arrest on Saturday in Cape Town, months after revoking her South African identity documents.
According the report, Rungo re-entered the country using a Mozambican passport, evading her official classification as “undesirable.” Plans are underway to transfer her to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation.
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A statement released by Home Affairs, cited by South African broadcaster eNCA, declared Rungo ineligible to remain in the country since September 2024.
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Investigations found that her South African citizenship was allegedly obtained fraudulently.
“Rungo has defied her undesirable status by using a Mozambican passport,” Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza stated. “She will be handed over to SAPS and remains under investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation [Hawks].”
Officials also discovered an underage child—reportedly Adetshina’s son—residing with Rungo at the time of her arrest. The Department of Social Development and the SAPS Child Protection Unit have been involved to assess the child’s welfare.
Citizenship Dispute and Pageant Withdrawal
Public scrutiny over Adetshina’s nationality intensified when she reached the top ten of Miss South Africa 2024. Her Nigerian surname led to questions about her citizenship status.
In response, she clarified that she was born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican descent.
A Home Affairs investigation later determined Rungo had allegedly secured her South African citizenship unlawfully. The findings resulted in a ruling that Adetshina did not qualify for South African nationality, as her father was Nigerian.
According to South African law, a person must have at least one South African parent or no other nationality to claim citizenship.
Following the controversy, Adetshina withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition, citing safety concerns. She later participated in Miss Universe Nigeria, won the title, and represented Nigeria at Miss Universe 2024, securing the Miss Universe Africa and Oceania crown.
Ongoing Investigation
Rungo had previously denied any wrongdoing. Home Affairs revoked both her and her daughter’s South African identity documents in October 2024.
Adetshina, a law student, has continued to assert her South African identity despite the official ruling. In a December 2024 interview with TVC, she described feeling “betrayed” by those challenging her nationality.
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She also stated that cyberbullying and widespread public scrutiny led her to retire from beauty pageants and shift focus to her education and efforts to foster unity across African nations.
Further details on Rungo’s potential charges remain undisclosed as investigations continue.
