S’African govt explains Why Chidimma Adetshina’s mother is being detained
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South African authorities have explained the reasons behind the arrest and detention of Anabela Rungo, the mother of the reigning Ms Universe Africa and Oceania, Chidimma Adetshina, by Home Affairs.
According to a Homes Affairs, she was arrested for continuing to reside in South Africa after her documentation was revoked in September last year, over allegations of fraudulently obtaining her identity documents.
Rungo was detained after her arrest in Cape Town, weekend, in a joint operation by Home Affairs investigators and the South African Police Service, SAPS.
Explaining the reason for her detention, Siya Qoza, Home Affairs Department’s spokesperson, said Rungo was declared persona non grata in September 2024 after officials uncovered irregularities in her residency status.
“Investigators from the department, assisted by SAPS, detained Anabela Rungo at a property in Cape Town.
“The Department withdrew Rungo’s South African documentation in September 2024 after finding that it had been fraudulently obtained, rendering her ineligible to continue residing in South Africa,” Qoza stated.
Qoza further shared that despite being declared undesirable, Rungo intentionally defied the country’s immigration laws and continued to stay in the country.
“It appears that Rungo has defied her ‘undesirable’ status through her Mozambican passport. Investigations are ongoing into further potential misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct.
“After being processed by Home Affairs over her illegal continued residence in South Africa, she will be handed over to SAPS, as she is also the subject of an ongoing Hawks investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Rungo, who is currently being detained by the South African authorities may be deported from the country.
An immigration lawyer, Ashraf Essop, told eNCA, that once your documents are declared invalid you have two options: “You either leave the country on your own, or be detained and deported”.