High Court Orders 3 Children to Boarding School Amid Parents' Custody Battle

High Court Judge Justice Fatima Chakapamambo Maxwell has ruled that three minor children be placed in boarding school for the second term of 2024 due to their mother's neglect of their educational well-being. The decision comes amid an ongoing custody battle between the children's parents, Prudence Chiritsa and Pisirai Mangwengwende.

Why this matters: This ruling highlights the importance of prioritizing children's educational well-being in custody disputes, and serves as a reminder to parents to put their children's needs above their own interests. It also underscores the role of the court in protecting thebest interests of minors in such disputes.

In September 2023, the High Court awarded custody of the three children, identified as S.M., A.K.M., and T.C.M., to Chiritsa on the condition that both parents attend counseling sessions aimed at improving their communication and parenting skills. However, a report by court-appointed psychologist Dr. Phillip Moses revealed that neither parent had attended any counseling sessions, and the children had been experiencing significant absenteeism from school.

In her ruling, Justice Maxwell criticized both parents but found Chiritsa's shortcomings more detrimental to the children's educational development. "Respondent's capacity and disposition to give the children guidance is questionable particularly relating to their educational development," the judge stated. She emphasized the importance of education, saying, "to allow the children to continue attending school from home whilst in the custody of the Respondent would be to be complicit in their absenteeism and that is detrimental to their educational development."

The interim order allows Mangwengwende to enroll the children in boarding school for the second term of 2024. Both parents have been ordered to recommence counseling sessions, with the final decision on custody to be determined after the counseling is complete and a report is submitted by the psychologist.

The High Court's decision to prioritize the educational well-being of the children by placing them in boarding school highlights the court's commitment to protecting the best interests of minors in custody disputes. As the case continues, the outcome of the parents' counseling sessions and the psychologist's report will play a crucial role in determining the final custody arrangement for S.M., A.K.M., and T.C.M.

Key Takeaways

• High Court Judge orders 3 minor children to boarding school due to mother's neglect.
• Court prioritizes children's educational well-being in ongoing custody battle.
• Parents failed to attend counseling sessions, leading to children's absenteeism.
• Father allowed to enroll children in boarding school for 2nd term of 2024.
• Final custody decision pending completion of counseling and psychologist's report.