Acclaimed actor Tumisho Masha believes parents who deliberately separate their children from another parent after a break-up are committing a form of child abuse.
Masha took to social media platform X (previously Twitter) on Tuesday stating that he finally has access to his child after a long court battle with his ex, Zozibini Mtonga.
Masha said he walked out of the high court in Pretoria victorious, sharing that he was alienated from his child after the relationship with his second ex-wife crumbled.
After almost eight years of being divorced, said Masha, he found himself in a courtroom once again.
According to him, he has been in and out of court since the former couple separated and, he said, Mtonga tried to defame his name as a public figure.
“This in a continued effort to alienate me from my daughter despite my child’s continued desire to want to spend equal time with both parents,” he said in a statement.
The actor narrated how he found himself fighting charges laid against him that were “fabricated lies”, saying he had been accused of aggressive behaviour towards his child.
He added that he had also been accused of abusing drugs and alcohol.
“Today I was fortunate enough to leave the Johannesburg High Court after a successful appearance and winning the case with full costs.
“My journey of fathering has not only cost me emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically but has also cost me financially.”
He vowed to keep sharing his story, so he can help other people who are going through similar situations.
Masha and Mtonga separated in 2016 and the divorce was finalised in 2019 after a lengthy court battle over assault allegations.
Mtonga alleged that the father of her child was a drunkard and had beaten her up several times, an accusation that Masha denied.
In 2018, Masha was acquitted of assault charges by the Randburg magistrate’s court. The charges were initially laid in September 2016 but were later withdrawn.
Then, more than a year later, the charges were reinstated by the National Prosecuting Authority.
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