The children were 6 1/2 and 4 at the date of the alleged wrongful removal. They had lived all of their lives in England. The parents were separated and had joint rights of custody. In early February 1999 the mother took the children to Zimbabwe, her State of origin.
On 16 February 1999 the father’s return application was forwarded to the Zimbabwe Central Authority. Proceedings were commenced in the High Court in October 1999.
