The Department of Home Affairs, in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), has detained Ms. Anabela Rungo, the mother of Chidimma Adetshina, for allegedly residing illegally in South Africa despite the revocation of her South African documentation in 2024. This was contained in a press statement by the Department.
Authorities said they had previously withdrawn Rungo’s South African documents in September 2024 after discovering that they were fraudulently obtained, making her ineligible to remain in the country. However, they revealed that she allegedly continued her stay by using a Mozambican passport in defiance of her “undesirable” status.
During the operation in Cape Town, investigators from the Counter Corruption and Immigration Services branches of Home Affairs also found Adetshina’s underage child residing with Rungo. Officials are now investigating potential misrepresentation and further fraudulent conduct.
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Following her detention, Rungo was processed by Home Affairs and will be handed over to SAPS as part of an ongoing investigation led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
Home Affairs said they are working closely with the Department of Social Development and the SAPS Child Protection Unit to safeguard the interests of the underage child found at the scene.
The Department has assured the public that updates on the case will be provided as necessary. However, officials have stated that no interviews will be granted at this stage.
