After a long legal battle with his ex-wife Zozibini Mtongana for the custody of their child, established actor, Tumisho Masha, has since been granted by the court a chance to be an active father in his daughter’s life.

GRANTED

The internationally acclaimed actor and Zozibini finalised their divorce in 2019, three years after they separated and following a lengthy court battle over assault allegations. "After a tumultuous three-year separation with Zozibini Mtongana our divorce was made final on 2 August 2019," he shared after the divorce. Last year, he was acquitted of assault charges by the Randburg Magistrates Court. The charges were opened in 2016. Since then, there has been a battle for the custody of their child after Zozibini allegedly refused to co-parent amicably. Tumisho announced that he has won the custody case with full costs at the Johannesburg High Court. "My journey of fathering has not only cost me emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically but it has also cost me financially," he says. "I continue to keep fathers in mind who continue this journey of parental alienation. My goal is to continue to share my story to encourage and give hope to those fathers who find themselves fighting the very war I find myself in." 

NO ACCESS

In a lengthy statement, the veteran actor says after almost eight years of separation from his ex-wife, he finds himself once again in court. "I have been in and out of courts every year," he says. "Since our separation, this is her continued efforts to not only defame my name and ability to earn an income as a public figure but also to destroy my character as a man and most importantly to deny me my rights as a father in fulfilling my fatherly duties towards my child," he says. "This continued effort to alienate me from my daughter despite my child’s continued desire to want to spend equal time with both parents." 

ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND ABUSE

Tumisho says it is now the responsibility of the court to apply the constitution without fear, favour or prejudice. "I found myself once again fighting charges laid against me on fabricated lies pertaining to aggressive behaviour towards my child as well as alcohol abuse." He adds, "This despite continued negative drug tests dating as far back as 2018. I have given up my rights and my dignity as a human being in continued efforts to live at peace with my ex so we can co-parent together, going as far as subjecting myself to such tests. However, my efforts have continuously been denied." He advises parents to be considerate towards children after a break-up. "Parents who strive to separate their children from their ex-partners are committing a form of child abuse. The way you treat your children after a relationship ends, is imperative to the well-being of the child. Parental alienation can have severe effects on the children’s health and emotional growth."