Anabela Rungo, the mother of beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina, remains in custody at Pollsmoor Prison as she awaits her next court appearance in the Cape Town High Court on Wednesday, February 26. The 46-year-old Mozambican national was denied bail on Friday, February 22, and now faces legal proceedings over allegations of fraudulently obtaining South African citizenship.
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Court Postpones Bail Hearing
Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the court has postponed the case to allow both the state and the defense to submit their arguments regarding Rungo’s bail application.
“The case has been postponed to February 26 for arguments in the bail application. Both state and defense will submit heads of argument to the court,” said Ntabazalila.
Until then, Rungo will remain behind bars as the legal battle over her immigration status continues.
Arrested in Cape Town with Grandchild
Rungo’s dramatic arrest was carried out by a team of Home Affairs investigators and police officers in Cape Town. Reports indicate that she was hiding with her grandson, Adetshina’s minor son, when she was taken into custody.
Following the arrest, Home Affairs authorities alerted the Department of Social Development and SAPS Child Protection to ensure the child’s welfare and safety.
How Rungo Landed in Trouble
The case against Anabela Rungo stems from an investigation by Home Affairs, which found that she had illegally obtained a South African ID. As a result, the department declared her a persona non grata in September 2024, effectively stripping her of her South African citizenship and rendering her ineligible to stay in the country.
Miss SA Controversy Brought Citizenship into Question
Rungo’s legal troubles came to light after her daughter, Chidimma Adetshina, faced scrutiny over her eligibility to compete in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant.
While Adetshina initially claimed to be South African, it later emerged that she was not a citizen. Further investigations revealed that her mother was Mozambican, and her father was Nigerian, making Adetshina ineligible for the pageant.
Chidimma Adetshina’s Journey After Miss SA Exit
Following the citizenship scandal, Adetshina withdrew from the Miss SA competition and instead pursued her dreams in Miss Universe Nigeria. She went on to win the Nigerian crown and later represented the country in the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico, where she finished as first runner-up and Miss Universe Africa & Oceania.
Her rise in the international beauty pageant scene stands in contrast to her mother’s ongoing legal battles, which could result in deportation if the court rules against Rungo.
What’s Next for Rungo?
With her citizenship revoked and a pending court case, Rungo faces an uncertain future in South Africa. If the court denies her bail and upholds the fraud charges, she may be deported to Mozambique after serving any sentence imposed.
Her legal team is expected to present its arguments in court on February 26, hoping to secure her release. However, given the serious nature of immigration fraud, the state may push for her continued detention and eventual deportation.
Final Thoughts
The case of Anabela Rungo highlights South Africa’s crackdown on fraudulent citizenship cases, particularly those involving high-profile individuals. As the legal process unfolds, all eyes remain on the Cape Town High Court’s ruling, which will determine whether Chidimma Adetshina’s mother stays in the country or faces deportation.
Stay updated on this developing story.
