A woman who dreamed of being a single mother asked her ex-boyfriend to impregnate her – and got more than she bargained for, says a Times Select report. As well as a son (3), KZN High Court (Durban) Judge Piet Koen told her the boy’s father must have extensive co-parenting rights which include custody every alternate weekend and at least four hours of father-son time on birthdays.

In court papers, the father claimed the mother was using 'visitation rights as currency' despite his attempts to seek mediation over co-parenting rights. She told him she did not like the idea of using an unknown sperm donor and wanted her child to know the identity of the biological father.

There would be no obligations on the father and he could have a relationship with the child, she said. The man was 41 at the time and said in court papers he realised ‘this may be my only opportunity to become a father’. The father went to court on November 2015 to ask for scheduled contact with the child, and Koen’s judgment hands him a comprehensive victory, says the report.

The judge rejected the woman’s claims that she and her ex had a ‘known sperm donor agreement’ which made clear he would have no financial obligations or legal rights.

‘(The child’s) interests are absolutely paramount,’ he said. ‘They will be best served, even with (the child) having to move between two homes, knowing he is loved unconditionally by both ... in their respective unique ways.’

He urged the couple to be mature in addressing temporary setbacks. ‘With a positive spirit of co-operation in (the child’s) best interest, I believe that he will only benefit.’

Full Times Select report

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