Mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Adetshina, Arrested in South Africa

South African authorities have arrested the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Adetshina. Details surrounding the arrest remain unclear as investigations continue.

South African authorities have detained Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria’s Chidimma Adetshina, on charges connected to the fraudulent acquisition of a South African identity document.

The country’s Department of Home Affairs verified Rungo’s arrest, noting that she was detained on Saturday in Cape Town as part of a joint operation by immigration officials and the South African Police Service (SAPS), according to reports from local media outlet Sunday World.

Siya Qoza, the spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs, announced that Rungo, a Mozambican citizen, was declared persona non grata in September 2024 following discoveries of irregularities related to her residency.

Qoza stated that investigators from the department, with assistance from SAPS, arrested Anabela Rungo at a property in Cape Town. The Department revoked her South African documentation in September 2024 after discovering it had been fraudulently acquired, making her no longer eligible to reside in South Africa.

Rungo’s immigration status faced examination due to controversy surrounding her daughter’s involvement in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. Authorities later found that Adetshina did not fulfill the citizenship criteria, prompting her withdrawal from the competition. She subsequently competed in Miss Universe Nigeria and achieved first runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico last November.

At the time she was arrested, Rungo was reportedly accompanied by Adetshina’s minor child. This situation led to intervention from the Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Services to ensure the child’s well-being.

Qoza also alleged that Rungo willfully ignored South African immigration regulations.

It seems that Rungo has bypassed her ‘undesirable’ status using her Mozambican passport. Investigations are currently underway into additional possible misrepresentation and fraudulent activities.

“Once Home Affairs processes her case regarding her unlawful extended stay in South Africa, she will be turned over to the SAPS due to an ongoing investigation by Hawks,” he stated.