Moreblessing Cherayi
Zim Now Correspondent
Cape Town – The Department of Home Affairs, with assistance from the South African Police Service (SAPS), has detained Anabela Rungo, the mother of Chidimma Adetshina, a well-known beauty queen who has been fighting to represent South Africa at the Miss World pageant.
The arrest took place at a Cape Town residence, following an investigation that revealed Rungo had fraudulently obtained her South African documentation. The Department withdrew her documents in September 2024, rendering her ineligible to remain in the country legally. Despite this, authorities claim she continued to reside in South Africa by using her Mozambican passport.
The detention of Rungo marks another setback for Adetshina, whose aspirations to compete in the prestigious Miss World pageant have been marred by controversy over her citizenship status. The beauty queen, whose mother hails from Mozambique, has faced scrutiny over her nationality, leading to disputes about her eligibility to represent South Africa internationally. Critics have argued that her citizenship status is uncertain, fueling a prolonged battle between Adetshina and pageant organizers.
The Department of Home Affairs has indicated that further investigations are underway to determine whether Rungo engaged in additional fraudulent activities to maintain her residency in South Africa. During the operation, authorities also discovered Adetshina’s underage child residing with Rungo. The Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection Unit have been engaged to ensure the child’s welfare.
Rungo is expected to be handed over to SAPS, as she is also under investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. Home Affairs has stated that further updates will be provided as the case unfolds.
Adetshina, who ended up representing Nigeria in the Miss World pageant due to the citizenship squabbles, has yet to comment on her mother’s detention. However, sources close to the beauty queen say the latest development is a significant blow to her efforts to clear her name and pursue her dream of representing South Africa on the world stage.
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