Court blocks Zimbabwean mother's bid to take daughter to Australia

A Zimbabwean mother living in Australia has lost a High Court bid to relocate her nine-year-old daughter from Zimbabwe, with the court ruling that the child should remain in the care of her father.

Justice Fatima Maxwell ruled that the girl, identified as A.R., should remain in Zimbabwe with her father, Brian Sunguro, who has cared for her since 2017.

The mother, Abigal Manyati, moved to Australia in 2017 to pursue nursing studies and subsequently sought to have her daughter join her.

However, the court found that A.R. was settled in Zimbabwe, including at her school and in her father's household, and that relocating her to Australia could disrupt the stability she had established.

The court consequently awarded Sunguro sole custody of the child.

Manyati was ordered to pay US$200 a month in child maintenance, as well as half of the child's school fees and the cost of school uniforms.

The court also took into consideration Manyati's immigration status in Australia. She does not have permanent residency and her current visa is due to expire in October 2027.

Under the court order, Manyati will continue to have access to her daughter during alternate school holidays and through regular video calls.

She will also be responsible for the costs associated with travelling with the child.

Any future trip by A.R. to Australia will require Manyati to provide proof that her Australian visa has been extended beyond October 2027.

The court further imposed restrictions on the child's international travel, ordering that neither parent may take A.R. out of Zimbabwe without the written and notarised consent of the other parent.

The ruling effectively keeps the child's primary home, schooling and care arrangements in Zimbabwe while preserving her relationship with her mother through scheduled physical visits and regular virtual contact.