Jobless mum denied custody of kids

MT HAGEN district court magistrate Donald Joseph told a mother last week that the Lukautim Pikinini Act protects children and ensures they are well brought up by their parents.
Joseph, who refused an application by a mother of three seeking custody of her children told, her that a settlement is not a proper place to raise children.
Joseph told the mother she was unemployed and living with relatives who are also unemployed and the childen did not have a proper house to stay.
Joseph said that while the children’s father was a high school teacher and can pay child support to her, she herself was not in a position to look after the children.
He said the wellbeing of the children are very important and they should have a proper house to live and grow up in.
Joseph said the children’s father was concerned about the welfare of his children and was acting for the best interest of his children, two of whom live with him with their youngest daughter living with the mother.
Joseph ordered that after every two fortnights, the father will take the two children living with him to where their younger sister lives with her mother to spend time together before being taken back.
The father has been ordered to pay K100 in child support every fortnight for the youngest daughter.
Joseph said the father is employed and is in a better position to look after the children, clothe them, provide food, and send them to school.
He said that the children have become victims of their parents’ actions, which is a breach of the Lukautim Pikinini Act.
Joseph said that if the parents failed to comply with the court orders, he would issue a warrant for their arrest.