Chidimma Adetshina’s mother appears in South Africa court on identity theft charges

Anabela Rungo, the mother of Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, facing charges of identity theft and violation of the Immigration Act. Rungo has been under strict house arrest since February, after she was arrested for remaining in the country despite her ID being revoked in September last year. The case was postponed last week due to the appointment of a new prosecutor and Rungo securing a new lawyer to represent her.  Rungo, a Mozambican national, is accused of fraudulently obtaining South African citizenship by stealing another womans identity, a claim that has sparked legal battles and public debate.  Her legal team is also pushing to relax her bail conditions, including house arrest, as the court proceedings continue.  Rungos return to court today follows a brief delay last week when the state appointed a new prosecutor to oversee the case. At the same time, Rungo replaced her previous legal counsel with a new lawyer, prompting the postponement to allow both sides to prepare.  Todays appearance will focus on the identity theft charges, with Rungos team seeking to ease the strict bail conditions set earlier this year.  The Cape Town Magistrates Court previously granted Rungo R10,000 bail after her arrest in February 2025, despite opposition from the state, which argued she posed a flight risk.  Her bail includes house arrest, a condition her lawyers are now challenging, claiming it is too restrictive. The outcome of this request, alongside the ongoing fraud case, will be a key focus of todays proceedings. The Department of Home Affairs alleges that she stole a South African womans identity to secure citizenship, including a passport and ID, through fraudulent means. Independent immigration lawyer Stefanie De Saude Darbandi explained the dual nature of the case: The courts are dealing with her fraud matter, while Home Affairs is responsible for addressing her immigration status. De Saude Darbandi elaborated, Home Affairs case against Mrs. Rungo is that she stole someones identity and acquired her citizenship status and citizen documents through fraudulent means.  She noted that Home Affairs has labelled Rungo a prohibited person, a legal status applied to individuals found with fraudulent documents. However, De Saude Darbandi pointed out a potential defence, stating, She wasnt found; she agreed to this investigation, suggesting Rungos cooperation could play a role in her legal strategy.However, De Saude Darbandi pointed out a potential defence, stating, She wasnt found; she agreed to this investigation, suggesting Rungos cooperation could play a role in her legal strategyIf convicted, Rungo could face jail time and deportation to Mozambique, as Home Affairs has already barred her from seeking permanent residency in South Africa while the case is unresolved.  Rungos case has drawn attention partly due to 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.  The high-profile connection has fueled public interest, with opinions split on social media.  Some South Africans argue the justice system has been too lenient, citing Rungos bail as evidence, while others call for understanding given her familys circumstances.  The charges stem from an investigation that uncovered Rungos alleged use of a stolen identity, a crime Home Affairs claims has affected the victim since 2001.    The post Chidimma Adetshina’s mother appears in South Africa court on identity theft charges appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.