As SA faces a growing crisis of corruption and dysfunction within its policing system, concerns are being raised about similar patterns in the Office of the Family Advocate, reports The Star.

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has stepped into the high-profile custody case of a father and activist whose four-year legal battle to gain access to his children has been marked by delays, allegations of misconduct, and emotional trauma.

ATM President Vuyo Zungula has called for an urgent parliamentary investigation into the matter, saying the father's experience reflects broader systemic failures in the family law system.

‘We have been reading about (this) ordeal for years now, and there is still no resolution,’ said Zungula.

‘The rights of children to know and love both parents is pivotal. If there is corruption … even at the level of the courts, we must get to the bottom of it,’ he said.

At the heart of the dispute is a long-delayed report by the Office of the Family Advocate, which was ordered by the court but has taken over a year to be finalised.

The man began his custody battle four years ago.

The Department of Justice previously told The Star that the matter was being addressed. According to the father the Family Advocate interviewed his children more than a year ago but only recently confirmed that a report had been completed.

He said his children alleged the advocate was ‘suggesting answers’ during the interview.

Legal experts have expressed growing concern over similar delays in Family Advocate reports across the country.

The father has written to Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, demanding transparency and reform.

Full report in The Star