Mercy's Dad Wants Back Her Custody from Madonna

James Kambewa opposed Madonna’s adoption of his five-year-old daughter Mercy James from Malawi last year, and he hasn't given up hope of regaining custody. He's now working as a security guard in Durban, South Africa, in an effort to raise money to visit the little girl.

James said: “Now I am in South Africa I can earn far more. I hope to use the money to help me be a proper dad to my Mercy. I could save up to fly to London to visit Mercy, if her new mother would allow me to. I know planes cost a lot of money but I am desperate to see my girl."

He added, “Perhaps one day I can employ a lawyer who will take this to court. I’d like to challenge Madonna’s right to have my baby. I’m still her father.”

Madonna is currently in Malawi setting up her school for girls and had hoped to reunite Mercy and her adopted four-year-old son David, who also hails from the African nation, with their natural families.

It had been claimed that James had missed out on the reconciliation because he'd fled the country amid allegations he would face underage sex charges. News emerged that Mercy's mother, who died shortly after after giving birth, was just 14 when she became pregnant.

However, 25-year-old James – who borrowed the fare to make the seven-day bus trip to South Africa last summer - insists the allegations are untrue and he just wants to make a better life for his family, though he is devastated at missing the chance to see his daughter.

He added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: “It is so hard for me not to be in Malawi when my daughter is there but I needed to leave my home country to start a better life.

“I know she is now living a life of wealth but she is my child. It is nonsense to say I left Malawi because I was in trouble. It was to make a better life.”