Law enforcement authorities in South Africa have detained Chidimma Adetshina's mother, Anabela Rungo, in Cape Town. The Department of Home Affairs stated that its investigators, assisted by the South African Police Service, detained Rungo on Saturday morning. The department had withdrawn Rungo's South African documentation in September 2024 after discovering it had been fraudulently obtained. This rendered her ineligible to continue residing in South Africa. The situation has been further complicated by the discovery of Adetshina's young child living with Rungo at the property in Cape Town, prompting the Department of Home Affairs to work with the South African Police Service and the Department of Social Development to ensure the child's safety and well-being.

The controversy surrounding Adetshina's citizenship began last year during her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant, where questions were raised about her nationality due to her name and her mother's background. Adetshina, who is of Nigerian and Mozambican descent, clarified that she was born to a Nigerian father and a South African mother of Mozambican heritage. However, the investigation by Home Affairs brought to light allegations of identity fraud committed by her mother, leading to further scrutiny. In the wake of these revelations, Adetshina made the decision to withdraw from the Miss South Africa competition but later competed in Miss Universe Nigeria, where she won the crown.

Investigations are ongoing into further potential misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct. The Department of Home Affairs is liaising with social development and the SAPS Child Protection Unit to safeguard the interests of the minor child. Rungo will be handed over to the SAPS for further legal processing and remains the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Hawks. The situation has sparked concerns about the safety and well-being of Adetshina's child, and the Department of Home Affairs is working to ensure the child's protection.

The timeline of events surrounding Adetshina's citizenship controversy and her mother's detention is as follows: * September 2024: The Department of Home Affairs withdraws Anabela Rungo's South African documentation after finding it had been fraudulently obtained * February 15: Chidimma Adetshina's mother, Anabela Rungo, is detained in Cape Town by investigators from the Department of Home Affairs and the SAPS * Ongoing: Investigations into further potential misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct, as well as efforts to safeguard the interests of Adetshina's minor child. The Department of Home Affairs is working with the SAPS and the Department of Social Development to ensure the child's safety and well-being.

The detention of Anabela Rungo has raised questions about the immigration laws in South Africa and the measures in place to prevent fraudulent activities. The Department of Home Affairs has stated that it is committed to ensuring the integrity of the country's immigration system and will take action against individuals who engage in fraudulent activities. The situation is ongoing, and further developments are expected in the coming days.