Adetshina’s Mother, Anabela Rungo, Arrested in Cape Town for Fraudulent Documentation
Bradley Chagoya 
Cape Town – Anabela Rungo, the mother of former Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina, has been arrested by investigators from the Department of Home Affairs, assisted by the South African Police Service (SAPS), in Cape Town on Saturday morning.
The arrest comes months after Home Affairs withdrew Rungo’s South African documentation in September 2024, upon discovering that it had been fraudulently obtained. The department deemed her ineligible to continue residing in the country.
However, in what authorities described as "a brazen disregard for legal consequences," Rungo allegedly continued to reside in South Africa using her Mozambican passport. The department has confirmed that investigations are ongoing into further potential misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct.
During the operation, investigators from the Counter Corruption and Immigration Services branches also found Chidimma Adetshina’s under-aged child residing with Rungo. Authorities have since engaged the Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Unit to ensure the child’s welfare.
Following her arrest, Rungo is set to be handed over to SAPS, as she is also under investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
This arrest follows a high-profile identity fraud case that led to Chidimma Adetshina being stripped of her South African citizenship. During the Miss South Africa pageant, it was revealed that Rungo had allegedly stolen someone’s identity to obtain a South African ID, which she then used to secure documentation for her daughter. As a result, Adetshina’s South African identity and passport were revoked, forcing her to withdraw from the competition.
Despite the setback, Adetshina later represented Nigeria—her father’s home country—at the Miss Universe pageant, where she achieved runner-up status.
Home Affairs has stated that further updates on the case will be provided at an appropriate time. Meanwhile, authorities have confirmed that no interviews will be conducted at this stage.
This developing story raises further questions about fraudulent documentation and identity theft in South Africa, with many now watching closely to see what legal consequences Rungo will face.
