Law enforcement authorities in South Africa have detained Chidimma Adetshina's mother, Anabela Rungo, in Cape Town over her alleged illegal stay in the country. The Department of Home Affairs said its investigators, assisted by the South African Police Service, detained Rungo on Saturday morning. This move comes after the department withdrew Rungo's South African documentation in September 2024, following the discovery that it had been fraudulently obtained. As a result, Rungo was deemed ineligible to continue residing in South Africa, rendering her stay in the country illegal.

The situation has been further complicated by the discovery of Adetshina's young child living with Rungo at the property in Cape Town. This has led the Department of Home Affairs to work with the South African Police Service and the Department of Social Development to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. The department 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 controversy surrounding Adetshina's citizenship began last year during her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant. 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.

Here is a timeline of events: * September 2024: The Department of Home Affairs withdraws Anabela Rungo's South African documentation after discovering it was fraudulently obtained. * Saturday, 15 February: Home Affairs investigators, assisted by the South African Police Service, detain Rungo in Cape Town. * Ongoing: Investigations into further potential misrepresentation and fraudulent conduct by Rungo. * Ongoing: The Department of Home Affairs works with the South African Police Service and the Department of Social Development to ensure the safety and well-being of Adetshina's child. The Department of Home Affairs has stated that Rungo will be handed over to the SAPS for further legal processing and remains the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Hawks.

Multiple stakeholders have expressed their views on the situation, including: * The Department of Home Affairs, which has stated that it is working to ensure the safety and well-being of Adetshina's child. * The South African Police Service, which has assisted in the detention of Rungo. * The Department of Social Development, which is working with the Department of Home Affairs to ensure the safety and well-being of Adetshina's child. The situation highlights the importance of adhering to immigration laws and regulations. The Department of Home Affairs has emphasized its commitment to upholding the law and ensuring that all individuals residing in South Africa do so legally.