THERE seems to be no end in sight in the ugly tug of war between businessman Mziwoxolo Qwelane and the Lurayi family over the custody of his daughter. Qwelane, who is the father of late actress Busi Lurayi's daughter Ayana, had been fighting for years to have access to his daughter even while the actress was still alive.                   His relationship with Lurayi ended on a sour note after the 'How to Ruin Christmas' actress allegedly stole furniture worth more than R300 000 at his Sandton house a few years ago.

SANITY MUST PREVAIL

Speaking to Zimoja, a frustrated Qwelane said he had hoped that sanity would finally prevail after his family elders met with the Lurayis recently in order to resolve the matter. He said soon after Busi's passing he was in constant touch with her father, Freddie Mokoena, as he wanted to be there for his daughter. Qwelane said a week before the funeral, he visited the family together with his family in order to pay his respects. "On arrival I was given strict instructions by Freddie not to greet Ayana and not say anything to the child. This, he said, was because they didn't know what Busi had said to Ayana. This didn't sit comfortably with me at all, especially because the child kept asking who we were. It was painful to sit there and just watch my child, without even being able to hold her," he said.

TAKING A TOLL ON HIM

Qwelane said the whole experience has taken its toll on him, both emotionally and financially, but he won't give up the fight. "It's been six years of fighting for my daughter. To be honest, I'm tired now. I've been in and out of courts,  just to gain access to my own flesh and blood. But I've got no choice but to fight on," he said. He revealed that he will be approaching the courts again.  He said what pained him the most was the fact that his daughter was convinced that she was now an orphan as she doesn't know about his existence. "Freddie (Mokoena) said the child had been inconsolable and traumatised throughout the period of Busi's passing and often said she didn't have parents now. But Freddie said he assured her that her father was still alive. But what is disturbing is why is it difficult for him to hand over the child to me? It seems as if he has illegally appointed himself as my child's father," said Qwelane. Zimoja's attempts to get hold of Freddie failed as his phone rang unanswered.