In a shocking turn of events, Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has been arrested in South Africa for allegedly obtaining a South African identity document fraudulently. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed the arrest, stating that Rungo, a Mozambican national, was detained at a property in Cape Town on Saturday.

Rungo's arrest comes after she was declared persona non grata in September 2024, following the discovery of irregularities in her residency status. Her South African documentation was subsequently withdrawn, rendering her ineligible to continue residing in South Africa.

This development is linked to the controversy surrounding Chidimma Adetshina's participation in the Miss South Africa pageant. Adetshina, who is of Nigerian origin, withdrew from the pageant due to questions surrounding her nationality and allegations of identity theft leveled against her mother. She later went on to win the Miss Universe Nigeria title and finished as the first runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico last November.