The application related to a child born in London in 2002 to Zimbabwean parents. The parents had married in September 2001. The following month the father moved to the United Kingdom to take up employment. The mother moved there in January 2002, though subsequently returned to Zimbabwe for a short period to complete exams.
Following the birth of the child the parents’ relationship deteriorated. There was a period of separation of several weeks, followed by an attempted reconciliation in July 2002. On 27 July the mother took the child to Zimbabwe and they stayed with the maternal grandparents.
Mother and child returned to the United Kingdom in late February 2003 to attempt a further reconciliation. A further separation followed at Christmas 2003, followed by a reconciliation in January 2004. In October 2004 the father left the matrimonial home.
On 28 January 2005 mother and child travelled to Zimbabwe, and again stayed with the maternal grandparents. On 6 April 2005 mother and child moved to South Africa where the mother found employment.
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