The South African government has detained Chidinma Adetshina’s mother.

In a significant development, the South African government announced the arrest of Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, on allegations of fraudulently obtaining a South African identity document. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Saturday, detailing the operation that involved Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Rungo, a national from Mozambique, was apprehended in a Cape Town hideout during a collaborative operation. Siya Qoza, spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs, indicated that Rungo’s residency status had come under scrutiny earlier, leading to her declaration as persona non grata in September 2024. The department noted that Rungo’s South African documentation had been revoked due to irregularities discovered in its procurement.

“Investigators from the department, assisted by SAPS, detained Anabela Rungo at a property in Cape Town. 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,” Qoza stated.

The arrest has reignited discussions concerning Chidimma Adetshina, who recently withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant amidst allegations of identity theft linked to her mother’s case. As the situation unfolds, it raises important questions about identity verification processes and the implications for those involved in public representations of national identity. The case serves as a reminder of the critical need for compliance with immigration laws and the potential repercussions of fraudulent activities.