Chidimma Adetshina’s mother detained in Cape Town

The Department of Home Affairs has detained the mother of Chidimma Adetshina at a property in Cape Town.

Investigators from the Department of Home Affairs, assisted by the South African Police Service (Saps), detained Anabela Rungo on Saturday morning.

Adetshina was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria in September last year after  she quit the Miss SA contest after a widespread outcry about her nationality.

Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza said the department withdrew Rungo’s South African documentation in September last year.

Documents ‘fraudulently obtained’

Qoza said the department found that Rungo’s documents had been fraudulently obtained, rendering her ineligible to continue residing in South Africa.

“In an apparent act of brazen disregard for the legal consequences of her conduct, it appears that Ms Rungo has defied her “undesirable” status through her Mozambican passport.

Adetshina’s small child was also found living with Rungo. 

“Investigations are ongoing into further potential misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct. During the operation this morning, investigators from the Counter Corruption and Immigration Services branches of the department also found Adetshina’s under-aged child residing with Rungo,” Qoza said.

Qoza said Rungo would be handed over to the police.

ALSO READ: Home Affairs finds evidence of fraud by Chidimma Adetshina’s mother

Hawks investigation

“After being processed by Home Affairs over her apparent illegal continued residence in South Africa, Ms Rungo will be handed over to the Saps as she is also the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.

“Home Affairs is further liaising with the Department of Social Development and Saps Child Protection Unit as it relates to protecting the interests of the under-age child. The Department will provide further updates at opportune moments,” Qoza said.

Chidimma Adetshina: Miss SA uproar over nationality

Adetshina’s citizenship came under the spotlight when she made it to the top 10 of the Miss South Africa pageant, with many questioning her nationality due to her name. 

In August last year, the department found prima facie indications of fraud committed by Rungo, after it launched an investigation into her citizenship.

ALSO READ: Home Affairs finds evidence of fraud by Chidimma Adetshina’s mother

Ongoing investigation

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the reason for the ongoing nature of the investigation was that its scope has broadened since the original request received from the organisers of Miss SA, based on the information uncovered by Home Affairs investigators thus far.

“The organisers of the event sent the department a request to verify the citizenship of a contestant, Chidimma Adetshina. This request was accompanied by written consent from both Adetshina and her mother.”

There was massive controversy over Adetshina’s participation in the popular pageant, as she had a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother despite being born and raised in South Africa.

Safety concerns

Adetshina withdrew from the Miss South Africa pageant soon after.

She said the decision came amid safety concerns.

“Being part of the Miss SA 2024 competition has been an amazing journey. However, after much careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw myself from the competition for the safety and well-being of my family and me.

“With the support of the Miss SA organisation, I leave with a heart full of gratitude for this amazing experience.”

ALSO READ: Chidimma Adetshina withdraws from Miss SA pageant