Latest news with #AnabelaRungo
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
When will we admit the justice system is failing us
Our justice system is neither punitive nor rehabilitative enough. It's time to confront the cracks before more lives are shattered. At what point do we start being honest with ourselves, admitting that our justice system may not be punitive; not as rehabilitating as we need it to be. When do we start questioning the level of effectiveness of the prison system, the measurements of rehabilitation and the issues considered in granting parole? As of late, the failures of the justice system are seemingly rearing their ugly heads for all to see. There are rapists who run the streets as if their actions have not affected their victims; murderers who served the bare minimum jail time and, now, their lives continue. Nigerian televangelist Tim Omotoso and Anabela Rungo, the mother of former Miss SA finalist Chidimma Adetshina, are some of the names that appear on court rolls. They leave us questioning the effectiveness of the justice system. ALSO READ: Buying justice: Kubayi appalled by the state of Palm Ridge court To rectify this problem, we should be willing to reflect the mirror back to every member of society. The first mistake we made was to accept these barbaric behaviours because we have not been vocal enough in our collective pursuit for justice. As a society, we should not be willing to accept the unacceptable. We should cease to excuse the inexcusable. Once we can do that, we can remedy the situation that gains traction from our silence. Ultimately, society is the collateral damage of a country whose laws are lax and slow. The granting of parole to undeserving detainees has spiked the number of reoffenders. People have played the system and, as a result, they are meant to assimilate back into society. I figure that most of the parolees ate on time, woke up on time, said thank you and please to the correctional officers. They attended church services and did the odd job around the prisons. ALSO READ: Will Shepherd Bushiri escape again? Here's what the justice minister says They basically carried their own weight and then someone concluded they are fit to be reintegrated into a society, which they may bleed to death with their bare hands. This means the justice system requires an overhaul. If judges, parole officers and social workers do not call into question their decisions, and if this does not make them wonder about the real intent of the people they release from prison, then nothing will ever. We have more going out, possibly to come out unrehabilitated. Perhaps we need to really question the purpose of their incarceration and the requirements for their attainment of freedom. We hope the National Prosecuting Authority always does better to serve justice and not only in the high-profile cases. NOW READ: Trump would have been convicted if he wasn't elected: special counsel report
Eyewitness News
14-05-2025
- Eyewitness News
Court relaxes some of Chidimma Adetshina's mother's bail conditions
CAPE TOWN - Anabela Rungo, mother of former Miss SA Finalist Chidimma Adetshina, has had parts of her bail conditions relaxed. She appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Wednesday. After hearing her testimony and that of an immigration control officer, the magistrate decided to give her some flexibility. She is allowed to leave her home but has a 9pm curfew. READ: Chidimma Adetshina's mother appears in court, wants bail conditions relaxed She will also be able to attend any other legal proceedings, outside of her case. 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. She'll be back in court on 12 September.
The Herald
09-05-2025
- The Herald
Do away with house arrest: beauty queen Chidimma Adetshina's mom
Anabela Rungo returned to the dock at the Cape Town magistrate's court on Thursday regarding her request for her house arrest to be stopped. Rungo, 46, mother of Miss Universe Africa & Oceania Chidimma Adetshina faces charges related to the Immigration Act and the Identification Act. She was arrested on February 15 in Summer Greens, Cape Town, where she lived despite her ID being revoked. Rungo, wearing designer sneakers, jeans and sporting a designer handbag, was making her first court appearance since her release on bail on February 27. The court had ordered that while out on bail Rungo had to comply with strict conditions: She remained under house arrest and could leave home only to attend court or consult a legal representative. She was barred from attempting to send any person to any embassy or consulate, including but not limited to the Mozambican and Nigerian embassies. She was not to apply for any travel documents while the matter was pending but was allowed to visit the home affairs offices if required. During her bail application the court previously heard testimony from immigration officer Adrian Jackson who said she illegally applied for an ID document under the name Sara Moyo. Rungo applied for residency in South Africa in 2016 but was rejected for not meeting the financial requirements. She appealed, presenting a bank statement which home affairs said was fraudulent. They rejected the appeal. State prosecutor Ricardo Swarts said the investigation could be completed only in August as the state awaited a statement from the original ID owner and bank statements. Rungo's legal representative, advocate Giles Barclay, said he had represented her, her grandson and Chidimma since the end of 2024. Barclay made a submission and brought an application to 'do away with the house arrest in its entirety and ask for other conditions to be imposed'. Swarts said the state was prepared to relax the conditions, but felt it necessary to impose the house arrest. Magistrate Sadiqah Guendouz asked why the accused should be restricted to her house if she had not absconded and was still in the country. The state said it had consulted the department of home affairs and wanted a compromise. 'We propose certain hours [she may leave the house]. We agree that as it stands it might be a bit too [stringent] and she maybe be allowed out to do certain basic activities, but ... in a certain amount of hours,' said Swarts. 'We also propose relaxed pre-co-ordinated visits [to Milnerton police station] three times a week, not every day if the house arrest condition remains in fact a relaxed version thereof ... she remains a concern to the state in terms of being a flight risk.' The court heard Rungo had been flagged at all airport exits and ports. The state asked for a postponement to give a proper response to Barclay's application. The matter was postponed to May 14. TimesLIVE
