A Tanzanian mother, Salome Bahati Ludovick, has made a public appeal to the government to help her regain access to her 15-year-old daughter, Shalon Edwin, who attends secondary school in Geita Region. Salome, from Malampaka Ward in Maswa District, Simiyu Region, claims she has been cut off from her daughter since the death of her former husband, Edwin.
According to Salome, the trouble began long before her former husband's death. She and Edwin separated in 2013, and he took custody of their daughter, an arrangement Salome agreed to at the time. However, when Edwin's health declined sharply after he was diagnosed with throat cancer, he eventually died, leaving Shalon in the care of a friend, identified only as Samike.
Salome claims that she had consented to her former husband's friend raising Shalon alongside his own family, but only after her former husband's repeated changes in personal life were setting a poor example for the child. However, since Edwin's death, Salome says the family holding her daughter has refused to return the girl, insisting that because they are the ones funding her education and daily upkeep, the mother should pursue the matter through the courts.
Salome made her appeal at a media briefing, accompanied by Shadrack Silasi Wangwe, the elder brother of her late former husband. Wangwe stated that he was never consulted or informed when Edwin decided to hand Shalon over to his friend and only learned of the arrangement after the fact. The family has no knowledge of the people now raising the girl or the circumstances of their household.
When Salome attempted to collect her daughter from school, she faced further obstacles after officials asked her to verify her identity and confirm her relationship with the student before they could assist her. The non-governmental organisation Tanzania Peace Family (TPF) is now supporting Salome as she seeks a resolution.
The TPF, through its Lake Zone secretary Nkanda Malima, is following up on the matter. Salome says she has not received any assistance from the family holding her daughter, who claims that Salome was not the one who gave her the child. Salome is now seeking help from the government to regain access to her daughter.
The case has raised concerns about child custody and the role of family and friends in caring for children after a parent's death. Salome's situation highlights the challenges faced by parents in Tanzania who are seeking to regain custody of their children.
Key points
- A Tanzanian mother is seeking government help to regain custody of her 15-year-old daughter.
- The daughter has been living with a stranger since her former husband's death.
- A non-governmental organisation is supporting the mother in her quest for custody.
