The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has raised urgent concerns about the growing number of fathers being denied meaningful access to their children, calling on the Portfolio Committee on Social Development to urgently convene a parliamentary engagement to investigate the matter.
The party says that while significant efforts have been made to protect the rights of women and children, the rights of children to maintain relationships with both parents are not being adequately upheld.
ATM National Spokesperson Zama Ntshona says access to children was being weaponised in some cases when relationships broke down.
“There’s a growing concern that in certain instances when relationships fail, the issue of access is weaponised so as to make fathers pay for issues around access to children. The biggest problem here is that we have seen studies showing that children in a fatherless society struggle, amongst other things, with issues around mental and emotional health. Their academic and career trajectory also suffers, and relationships and future families they will have for their own are scarred because of this,” Ntshona says.
He adds that South Africa is already facing a crisis linked to male absenteeism. He cites statistics showing that, of the 21 022 murders recorded between 2018 and 2019, 17 237 of the victims were male. He also references data from the World Health Organisation indicating that men are killed at five times the rate of women and that 80 per cent of suicides involve males.
He adds that South Africa was already facing a crisis linked to male absenteeism, citing statistics showing that of 21 022 murders recorded in 2018 and 2019, 17 237 victims were male. He also referenced World Health Organisation data indicating that men are killed at five times the rate of women, and said 80 percent of suicides involved males.
“Already we have absenteeism. Now to add on top of that, issues of failed relationships being used to further separate fathers is exacerbating a worrisome situation. There are fathers who don’t even want to be available. So those who want to be available must be protected so as to protect the integrity and growth of the children.”
The ATM calls on lawmakers, social workers, psychologists and legal practitioners to broaden their understanding of family disputes and take the challenges faced by fathers into account.
“As much as we are, and rightfully so, doing a great job in ensuring that mothers are not victimised in these situations, we must also balance the scale. Let us not turn a blind eye to the issues of fathers who want to be present in the lives of their children,” Ntshona says.
He says ensuring both parents could participate in a child’s upbringing would lead to more stable outcomes for society.
“A balanced scale, access, and ensuring that there is participation from both parents would ensure a more stable society as we move forward.”
On parliamentary oversight, Ntshona says committees needed stronger powers to enforce accountability where institutions persistently failed in their duties.
“Parliament plays a very pivotal role in ensuring that there is accountability. Committees must not only reflect on the matter, but they must have teeth. After reflecting on the matter, if the matter is persistently done wrong, heads must roll. We would have to look at strengthening the powers we give to such committees so that if there is persistent negligence or maladministration, we can then have not just an opinion, but consequences of non-action when issues have been raised.”
Fathers seek access to their children through law
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The ATM has formally called on @ParliamentofRSA to urgently investigate the growing crisis of parental alienation and the systemic barriers preventing fathers from playing an active role in their children’s lives.
A child deserves the love, guidance and support of… pic.twitter.com/i5EMTolX9V
— African Transformation Movement (@ATMovement_SA) July 6, 2026
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