David to get his African sister as Madonna is allowed to adopt Mercy James
June 9, 2009 | by admin
Madonna will be allowed to adopt Malawian toddler Mercy James, 4, after all.
Three Malawian appeal court judges will reverse the original verdict, blocking the singer’s bid in March, her lawyer said.
Alan Chinula passed on the news, after persuading two of the three appeal judges to alter their decisions.
Madonna’s adoption application was originally rejected because she had not lived in the east African state for 18 months, as required.
A ruling which her lawyer argued was out of date.
Madonna, 50, is now said to have the backing of two of the judges with the third set to agree.
The official ruling will be announced next Sunday at Malawi’s Supreme Court of Appeal.
Controversy has dogged the singer’s bid to adopt Chifundo – whose name translates into English as Mercy – with human rights groups accusing Malawian authorities of giving her special treatment.
She was keen to adopt an African sister for David.
But Information minister Patricia Kaliati said the singer who has poured thousands of dollars into building a day care centre in the impoverished country, had helped Malawi and was a worthy mother.
During her ruling Judge Esme Chombo said at the time: ‘The issue of residence, I find, is the key upon which the question of adoption rests and it is the very bedrock of protection that our children need; it must therefore not be tampered with.
‘As wisely put by G K Chesterton: “Don’t ever take a fence down until you know the reason why it was put up.”’
She added: ‘’Anyone could come to Malawi and quickly arrange for an adoption that might have grave consequences on the very children the law seeks to protect.’
The star, who was divorced last year from British film director Guy Ritchie, is one of the most successful singers of all time, with album sales of more than 200million.
She has recently been reunited with Jesus Luz – the model 28 years her junior – who she split from days before flying into Malawi for the adoption bid back in March.
Word had apparently got back to her that there was disquiet in the country about her lifestyle.
Now with the help of his girlfriend her young beau has made his debut in designer’s Dolce & Gabbana’s new advert.
He appears in a boxing gym alongside model Eva Herzigova, and David Gandy wearing shorts and a robe.
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