Heartbreak on Father's Day: Asif Casoojee denied access to his children during ongoing legal battle
As fathers around the world were honoured on Sunday, Johannesburg father and businessman Asif Casoojee marked yet another Father's Day alone, cut off from his children and emotionally drained by what he calls a 'systemic failure to protect fathers' rights.
'For the fourth consecutive year, Casoojee was not allowed to spend the day with his two children, nor attend the Father's Day event hosted at their prestigious private school on Friday — an institution he continues to fund despite being denied access.
'I wasn't even invited,' Casoojee told The Star 'The school told me the next of kin is the lawyer Kaamilah Paulse and that I wasn't welcome. It's not just heartbreaking. It's dehumanising.'
Casoojee places the blame for his exclusion squarely on attorney Kaamilah Paulse, who represents his ex-spouse in an ongoing legal dispute that has spanned over four years.
'She's made every effort to alienate me from my kids. Calls are ignored, emails bounce back, and I've been locked out of school records and events. And still, I pay the fees,' he said.
'I'm their father, not a ghost.'
His allegations are supported by a March ruling from the Appeals Tribunal of the Legal Practice Council (LPC), which found prima facie evidence of misconduct by Paulse.
The tribunal found that a protection order obtained against Casoojee was potentially granted without proper service, and flagged Paulse's alleged interference in his parental relationship — actions they described as amounting to 'parental alienation.'
The tribunal also cited Paulse's alleged involvement in a private WhatsApp group where confidential financial and business information about Casoojee was discussed, despite no legal basis for such disclosures.
In response to claims about child alienation, Paulse denied any wrongdoing and defended her role through her legal team.
Speaking to The Star through her attorneys at Herold Gie, Paulse said: ' We point out that the statement contained is unsubstantiated, vague and lays no factual basis for the allegations made. We record that Ms Paulse denies the allegations, as stated by you'.
Her firm added that the LPC Appeals Tribunal had ''not made any final findings'', but had merely referred the matter back to the Disciplinary Committee for further examination.
Despite the legal assurances, Casoojee says the real damage is not to reputations, but to children.'My son asked me once, 'Why don't you come to my school anymore?' And I couldn't answer. Because the truth is — I'm being blocked.'
He is now petitioning the High Court to have Paulse removed from the matter, citing conflict of interest and alleged unethical conduct.
He also plans to ask the court to reinstate full parental access and to review the circumstances under which communication and visitation were restricted.
Legal experts say his case is far from unique.
'There is an emerging pattern in the South African family law system where fathers feel increasingly sidelined,' said family law advocate Lesedi Mokoena.
'While the law recognises equal parental rights, the practical application can lean heavily in favour of one parent, often the mother.'
Mokoena added that the legal profession must take its constitutional obligation to act in the best interests of children more seriously, noting, 'We cannot allow attorneys to become agents of division between parents and their children.'
Casoojee echoed that sentiment.'This is about more than one day a year. It's about a lifetime of moments that are being stolen. I'm not perfect, but I'm a father — and I'm fighting to stay in my children's lives.'As the legal process unfolds, Casoojee says he remains hopeful, if not for a swift resolution, then for public awareness.
'We need to start asking hard questions about how the system treats fathers. Father's Day should be a celebration, not a reminder of injustice.'
This story is part of The Star's ongoing coverage of family law, children's rights, and legal ethics in South Africa.*
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