Pretoria, South Africa – A burgeoning controversy surrounding the immigration status of Nigerian national Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, recently crowned as a traditional leader of the Igbo people in KuGompo City, Eastern Cape, has ignited a national debate. This, coupled with renewed scrutiny over the citizenship of former Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Adetshina and her mother, has prompted a civic movement to demand urgent government intervention and a comprehensive report on these matters.
The Progressive Forces of South Africa, a civic movement, has launched a national petition on Change.org, urging the executive and legislative arms of government to address issues of immigration compliance, public safety, and international relations, specifically concerning Nigerian nationals in the country. The movement asserts that Eziko’s alleged coronation raises serious legal and governance concerns, particularly regarding potential violations of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 and the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act 3 of 2019, which governs traditional leadership structures in South Africa.
Beyond Eziko’s case, the organisation is also demanding that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) disclose the current status and whereabouts of Chidimma Adetshina, as well as details of the legal proceedings involving her mother, Anabela Rungo. The DHA, however, had not responded to queries at the time of publication.
Eziko’s alleged coronation has sparked intense public backlash, widely perceived as a direct challenge to South African sovereignty and its established traditional leadership. Critics, including political parties and local traditional leaders, argue that the ceremony effectively established a parallel monarchy on South African soil, thereby violating the country’s constitutional order.
The controversy surrounding Chidimma Adetshina is not new. After she became a finalist in the Miss South Africa pageant in 2024, public scrutiny over her Nigerian name prompted a DHA investigation. This probe reportedly uncovered prima facie evidence that her mother, Anabela Rungo, allegedly committed identity theft in 2001 to obtain South African citizenship. The investigation further alleged that Rungo stole the identity of a South African woman, which subsequently prevented that woman from registering her own child.
Rungo was arrested in Cape Town in February 2025 for allegedly remaining in the country illegally after her documents were cancelled. She faces several criminal charges related to identity fraud and immigration violations and was granted bail of R10,000. NPA regional spokesperson in the Western Cape, Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed that Rungo recently appeared at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court and is scheduled for another appearance on April 17. “The accused appeared at the court (Tuesday) and the case has been postponed until 17 April 2026 for the State to provide copies of the docket to the defence. The accused was granted bail,” Ntabazalila stated.
The Progressive Forces of South Africa’s petition is firmly rooted in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, citing its guarantees of the rule of law, equality before the law (Section 9), and the protection of national sovereignty, alongside human dignity, freedom, and security (Sections 10, 12, and 198). The movement asserts:
We submit that these constitutional imperatives require the State to act decisively, fairly, and within the bounds of legality when addressing concerns affecting social cohesion and national stability.
Furthermore, the movement advocates for the enforcement of Sections 32 and 34 of the Immigration Act, including lawful detention and deportation, should Eziko’s presence in the country be found to be unlawful. They have also called for a national audit, conducted within legal frameworks, to assess the legal status and activities of Nigerian nationals residing in South Africa. This audit, they suggest, should be guided by key legislation such as the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, the Refugees Act 130 of 1998, the Citizenship Act 88 of 1995, and the Employment Services Act 4 of 2014.
In a more controversial move, the organisation has requested that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) undertake a formal review of the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Embassy in South Africa. They argue that this review should be guided by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), which outlines the roles and responsibilities of diplomatic missions. The petition goes further, stating:
Should it be found that the embassy is failing to cooperate in addressing transnational crime or community tensions, appropriate diplomatic measures should be considered. Even though international laws may hinder the process, as a civic movement speaking on behalf of many South Africans are of the view that the Nigerian Embassy should be closed permanently.
DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri responded by indicating that the department consistently raises concerns about matters of national interest with all embassies resident in the Republic as they arise. The Progressive Forces of South Africa maintain that their petition is not a call for exclusion or discrimination but for lawful, transparent, and accountable governance, emphasising South Africa’s foundation on human dignity, equality, and freedom.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Deputy Acting High Commissioner, Olajide Ogunmadeji, has issued a “sincere apology” to South African traditional institutions and the people of the Eastern Cape, expressing regret for any offence caused. The embassy has reaffirmed its respect for South Africa’s laws, customs, and traditional leadership structures, asserting that it would never encourage the undermining of local authorities. This diplomatic gesture aims to de-escalate tensions amidst the growing controversy.
