|
Malawi govt backs Madonna
04/04/2008 14:47 - (SA)
Lilongwe - Malawi's government has
recommended that its High Court approve American pop star
Madonna's adoption of David Banda, the child she met in a
Malawian orphanage a year and a half ago.
Madonna began adoption proceedings in 2006 and the
2-year-old has been living with the pop star and her film
director husband Guy Ritchie in their London home since then.
The adoption has been controversial, with critics accusing
the government of skirting laws that ban non-residents from
adopting children in Malawi, which has been badly hit by an Aids
epidemic leaving more than one million orphans.
But in a confidential report dated March 25 2008, signed by
Probation Officer S Chisale at the Ministry of Women and Child
Development, the government said Madonna and Ritchie had proved
to be suitable parents for the Malawian boy.
"In the best interest of the child, I do recommend the
petitioners to your Lordship for your consideration that they be
granted an adoption order having proved that they are suitable
parents and satisfied the conditions in the Interim Adoption
Order," the report.
Support for orphans
In February, Malawian Information Minister Patricia Kaliati
praised Madonna's efforts to rally support for orphans in the
impoverished country and said it would be wrong for the
government to deny the pop star's adoption of a child there.
Meanwhile, Madonna's lawyers have asked the courts to delay
the singer's appearance in court for the adoption hearing from
next week to the end of April, because she has another
engagement in the United States.
"They have made that application at (the) High Court today
and the judge is expected to respond this afternoon," a court
official said.
|
South Africa
