Anabela Rungo, mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, made a court appearance at the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, facing serious allegations of identity theft and violations of the Immigration Act.
Rungo has been under strict house arrest since February after her arrest for remaining in South Africa despite her identification documents being revoked in September of the previous year.
The case was postponed last week to accommodate the appointment of a new prosecutor and Rungo’s new legal representative, allowing both parties to prepare for the upcoming proceedings.
Rungo, a citizen of Mozambique, is accused of fraudulently obtaining South African citizenship by stealing another woman’s identity—a charge that has sparked legal debates and public interest. Her legal team is now petitioning to relax her bail conditions, including her current house arrest.
Her return to court today follows a brief delay last week, during which the state appointed a new prosecutor and she replaced her previous lawyer. The postponement was intended to ensure both sides could adequately prepare for the case.
Today’s session will primarily address the identity theft charges, with Rungo’s attorneys seeking to ease the strict bail conditions imposed earlier this year. Despite opposition from the state, the court previously granted her R10,000 bail, which includes house arrest—a condition her lawyers now challenge as too restrictive. The outcome of this application, along with the ongoing fraud charges, will be closely watched.
The Department of Home Affairs alleges that Rungo stole a South African woman’s identity to fraudulently obtain citizenship, passports, and identification documents.
Independent immigration lawyer Stefanie De Saude Darbandi explained the complexity of the case: “The courts are addressing her fraud allegations, while Home Affairs is responsible for her immigration status.”
She further clarified, “Home Affairs’ case is that she acquired South African citizenship through fraudulent means by stealing someone’s identity.”
De Saude Darbandi also noted that Rungo has been labeled a “prohibited person,” a legal status assigned to individuals found with fraudulent documents. However, she suggested there might be a defense: “She wasn’t caught; she cooperated with the investigation,” implying her willingness to participate could influence her legal strategy.
If convicted, Rungo faces potential imprisonment and deportation to Mozambique, as Home Affairs has already barred her from applying for permanent residency in South Africa during the case’s pendency.
The case has attracted media attention partly because of her daughter, Chidimma Adetshina, who gained fame as a Miss South Africa finalist before winning Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 and Miss Universe Africa and Oceania titles.
This high-profile connection has generated mixed reactions on social media, with some critics arguing that the justice system has been too lenient—pointing to her bail—while others urge understanding of her family circumstances.
The charges stem from an investigation that uncovered Rungo’s alleged use of a stolen identity, a crime that Home Affairs claims has impacted the victim since 2001.
