Prominent businessman Hangwani Morgan Maumela was prohibited from travelling overseas with his child by his baby mama.
As a result, Maumela has dashed to the Johannesburg High Court to obtain an order to force the woman to consent to the child travelling with him and his other children to
Disney World in Paris.
Maumela and child had planned to leave the country last month, but couldn’t do so after the woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor, refused to grant them consent to travel.
The woman is also suing Maumela for the division of their estate, claiming that they were married in community of property because he paid R60 000 lobola for her.
Maumela, who had his assets worth over R300-million attached by the Asset Forfeiture Unit as proceeds of irregular tenders at Tembisa Hospital, has denied that the two were married and is opposing the woman’s application for a decree of divorce.
In the papers, which Sunday World has seen, Maumela said he and the mother of the child were involved in a romantic relationship from 2015 to 2022.
He said he broke up with her after she betrayed his trust. He said he subsequently vacated their shared home and went to live in North West.
Maumela said that after vacating their home, the woman obstructed and hindered his contact with the child.
He said that on March 3, 2023, the woman filed a divorce application in the Johannesburg High Court claiming half of his estate, saying that they were in a customary
marriage and that she also wanted custody of the child.
“That I make monthly maintenance payments in respect of (name withheld) and the respondent, including an annual holiday allowance for (name withheld) of R50 000 and an annual holiday allowance for the respondent of R100 000, as well as a replacement vehicle for the respondent every five years,” he stated.
Maumela said he filed papers to oppose the divorce application, denying that they were married in community of property.
In the latter part of 2024, he said, the woman advised him telephonically that she planned to relocate with the child to Eastern Cape, however, no further information was provided.
“On or about 16 May 2025, I requested consent from the respondent for me to travel abroad with (name withheld) to take him to Disney World Paris during July 2025,” he stated.
He said in response thereto, the woman sent a WhatsApp message stating that she would not respond and advised him to tell his lawyers to go to court.
Maumela stated that since she relocated to Eastern Cape, he obtained information that she was abusing alcohol and was involved in an erratic romantic relationship, which may affect their child.
He said last month, the woman agreed that the child could spend time with him.
“Given that my other children are also on holiday for the August month, I thought it a perfect opportunity to take (name withheld) and his siblings to Disney World, Paris.
“I took steps to enquire as to whether it would be possible for a visa to be attained for (name withheld) so that he can travel with my family and me to Disney World Paris for a few days during his holiday. I could only take definite steps to apply for his visa once there was certainty that (name withheld)would indeed be in my care – the respondent has a history and pattern of changing arrangements and/or making further demands at the eleventh hour,” he stated.
Maumela said that on August 5, he had a telephonic discussion with the woman and advised her that he was applying for the visa. He said he was advised on August 11 that a visa for the child was granted to travel to Paris and gave her the details of the trip for her consent.
“I provided the dates and method of travel, as well as the reasoning and itinerary behind the travel. I also invited the respondent to propose some dates and times for her virtual/telephonic contact with (name withheld) whilst he was abroad,” he stated.
To his chagrin, Maumela said the woman refused to give consent.
“There is absolutely no basis to argue that (name withheld) travelling with me, his siblings, and other family members to Disney World Paris would be to his detriment, or that there exist any grounds to oppose the same,” he stated.
