Anabela Rungo (46), the mother of former Miss SA contestant, Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 winner, and first runner-up at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant, Chidimma Adetshina, has been charged with identity theft. Rungo, who was arrested over the weekend, appeared at the Cape Town Magistrates Court for a bail application yesterday.

MISPLACED DOCUMENTS

During her court appearance, an immigration officer took the stand and informed the court that Rungo had remained in South Africa despite being prohibited from entering the country. A warrant for her arrest was issued after failing to provide officials with legitimate documents, saying that she had misplaced them.

IDENTITY DOCUMENTS

The court learnt that Rungo was in possession of an identity document belonging to another, which she had used and presented as her own. She had also unlawfully submitted an application as Sara Moyo to the Department of Home Affairs. Sara Moyo is documented as a legitimate citizen of South Africa. Home Affairs has since deleted Rungo's South African identity number belonging to Sara Moyo.

LOST DOCUMENTS

Although she declared her documents lost, her Mozambican passport showed she had several trips to South Africa but there was no reflection that she had left the country after being prohibited person until her recent arrest. Upon her arrest, Rungo was with a two-year-old baby, which was identified as her grandchild. During her arrest, officials also confiscated from her Summer Greens residence a laminated copy of the birth certificate of Adetshina. She faces two charges of contravention of the Immigration Act and one charge of contravening the Identification Act. The Department of Home Affairs said should she be granted bail, she would be in the country illegally. She remains in custody.