The mother of Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, Chidimma Adetshina, Anabela Rungo, is still being held by South African authorities after her arrest on February 15, 2025, for alleged immigration fraud.
Rungo, a Mozambican national, was accused of identity theft and violating multiple laws to obtain a South African ID. A magistrate’s court in Cape Town heard her bail application on Thursday, but leaders of the Nigerian community in South Africa confirmed she remains in custody.
The President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Mrs. Doris Ikeri-Solarin, and the President of the Nigerians Citizens Association South Africa, Frank Onyekwelu, both confirmed Rungo’s continued detention.
Rungo’s arrest follows allegations of immigration fraud in 2024, which surfaced after her daughter’s application for the Miss South Africa beauty pageant. Chidimma Adetshina later represented Nigeria at Miss Universe 2024.
The South African Police Service is still investigating the matter, according to Onyekwelu.