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Leaders of the Nigerian community in South Africa have confirmed that Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria 2024, Chidimma Adetshina, has not been released by the country’s authorities.
Rungo was detained by the South African Police Service on February 15, 2025, following immigration fraud allegations levelled against her in 2024.
A Mozambican national, Rungo was arrested and charged with identity theft after South Africa’s Home Affairs accused her of violating multiple laws in obtaining a South African ID to stay in the country illegally.
However, a magistrate’s court in Cape Town heard her bail application on Thursday.
Reacting to the development, the President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, Mrs Doris Ikeri-Solarin, confirmed that Rungo remained in custody.
Similarly, the President of the Nigerians Citizens Association South Africa, Frank Onyekwelu, told our correspondent that “the police are still busy with investigation.”
Rungo was accused of immigration fraud in 2024 following her daughter’s application for the Miss South Africa beauty pageant.
The Nigerian beauty queen withdrew from the competition after a barrage of criticism from South Africans, who argued that she was not eligible to contest.
This led to her representing Nigeria at Miss Universe 2024 on 16 November 2024 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico.
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