Anabela Rungo relieved to have bail conditions relaxed
CAPE TOWN - The mother of former Miss SA Finalist Chidimma Adetshina has been given a little more freedom while she's out on bail.
Anabela Rungo has been under strict house arrest since February.
She was arrested after remaining in the country despite being informed that her ID would be revoked.
On Wednesday, the Cape Town Magistrate's Court granted her some of the requests she made in an application to have her bail conditions relaxed.
She will now be able to leave her house, but has a 9pm curfew.
And she will also be allowed to attend court proceedings outside of her court case.
Rungo became emotional while addressing the court, saying she felt like a caged animal.
READ: Chidimma Adetshina's mother prohibited from applying for permanent SA residency
Stefanie De Saude Darbandi, who forms part of Rungo's legal team, says Rungo is grateful that some of the conditions were relaxed.
"She was understandably emotional in court today, but she is relieved that the harshest conditions have now been lifted, and we will continue to fight to ensure her voice is heard and her rights are protected."
She adds Rungo also feels she's been granted some justice..
"The court lifted the house arrest conditions that were imposed on Mrs Rungo and replaced them with a curfew. This follows our earlier challenge on the 8th of May, and submissions today were made by the state. We welcome this outcome and believe it's more appropriate given the circumstances.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
16 hours ago
- IOL News
Usindiso Fire: Arson trial resumes as survivors prepare to testify
Lawrance Sithebiso Mdlalose accused of starting the Usindiso building fire that claimed the lives of 76 people. The trial of the man accused of igniting the deadly fire at the Usindiso building in the Johannesburg CBD resumed on June 2 at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court, with more witnesses expected to take the stand. Sthembiso Mdlalose, who previously admitted to starting the blaze, faces multiple charges including murder, attempted murder, and arson. The fire, which tore through the five-storey building in August 2023, claimed the lives of more than 70 people and left dozens injured. The tragedy shocked the nation and highlighted the dangers posed by unsafe, hijacked buildings in the inner city. Mdlalose's trial, which began earlier this year, has already featured explosive testimony and the reading of his confession. In the statement, Mdlalose claimed that the fire was not intended to kill others. According to his account, he had allegedly killed a man on the ground floor of the building and set the body alight to destroy evidence. The resulting fire quickly spread through the overcrowded structure, with fatal consequences. In previous court sessions, the defence attempted to have the confession thrown out, arguing that it had been made under duress. However, the magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution, allowing the statement to be admitted as evidence. That ruling is expected to be a key factor in the State's case as it seeks to prove Mdlalose's intent and responsibility for the catastrophic blaze. The court will now turn its attention to eyewitness testimony from survivors of the fire. These personal accounts are anticipated to paint a harrowing picture of the events that unfolded on the night of the blaze, including desperate attempts to escape the smoke-filled corridors and the chaos that ensued. Prosecutors are expected to argue that Mdlalose's actions directly led to the deaths and injuries, regardless of whether he intended the full scope of the destruction. They have framed the case as not only about arson but about reckless disregard for human life in one of the worst residential fires in recent South African history. The Usindiso building, once a government-owned property, had been illegally occupied and was in a dilapidated state at the time of the fire. The tragedy sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of urban decay and the ongoing problem of hijacked buildings, particularly in Johannesburg's inner city. Civil society organisations and housing advocates have called for greater oversight and intervention in the management of abandoned buildings, warning that without urgent action, similar incidents could occur. As the trial progresses, it continues to draw significant public and media interest. The outcome may not only determine the fate of the accused but could also set a precedent for how similar cases involving derelict properties and preventable disasters are handled in the future. Court proceedings are expected to continue on June 5, with more survivor testimonies scheduled and forensic evidence likely to be presented in the coming days.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
R8 million worth of dagga from Eswatini seized
Police swooped on a bakkie suspected to be carrying drugs into Limpopo. Limpopo police on Friday seized around R8 million worth of dagga during an anti-smuggling operation in the province. According to police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, officials received intelligence that a white Toyota Hilux bakkie was suspected to be transporting dagga from Eswatini. 'An immediate search operation commenced for the lookout of the bakkie, and it was positively spotted towing a trailer along the R36 public road next to Mooketsi Weigh-bridge at about 7 am. 'It was stopped, searched and found transporting forty-two bags (42) bags of compressed dagga weighing 851,85 Kg with an estimated street value of R8 million rands,' Ledwaba explained. Picture: Supplied He said a 27-year-old male suspect was questioned about the load and then arrested. He is expected to appear before the Tzaneen Magistrate's Court on Monday, 2 June 2025, on a charge of dealing in drugs. Picture: Supplied Other drug busts In February, two South Africans were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport for drug trafficking. They were travelling from Brazil and carrying cocaine with an estimated street value of R7.5 million. A few months earlier, a Brazilian woman was nabbed at the same airport, also coming from Brazil. She was carrying around R1.8 million worth of cocaine. NOW READ: Human trafficking exploiters spin web of drugs – expert
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Boyfriend arrested after nurse shot dead in Masoyi
A 52-year-old man was arrested for killing his girlfriend in Mgcobaneni, Masoyi, yesterday. Lowvelder reports that, according to Masoyi Police Station spokesperson Sergeant Nanikie Nonyane, the man allegedly had an argument with his girlfriend. 'During the argument, the suspect shot and killed his girlfriend. She was a nurse at Manzini Clinic. The suspect was found at the deceased's residence, as they were living together,' she says. Nonyane adds the suspect accused his girlfriend of having an affair with another man, which sparked the argument. 'He further stated that while they were fighting, his girlfriend ran out of the house into the neighbour's house. The suspect followed her and fired several shots. One hit her in the head and she was confirmed dead on the scene,' Nonyane says. During the arrest, a 9mm Griffen pistol with three rounds of ammunition and one magazine was recovered and confiscated as evidence. The suspect is expected to appear in the Masoyi Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing charges of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
