This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
JB Masanduku, a comedian, has been embroiled in a bitter custody battle with his ex-wife Tina Kagia since their separation in 2017.
The couple had a civil ceremony in 2014 at the Attorney General's chambers and had two children together.
Speaking to Word Is, Masanduku revealed that he has not seen his children for over a year, despite supporting them financially through insurance.
He attributed his absence from the comedy industry to the emotional pain of being denied access to his children, saying, 'That is the reason I have not been focusing on doing comedy, 'cause I sit and wonder why I should make people happy yet am unhappy.'
When asked about his relationship with Tina Kagia, Masanduku stated, 'We divorced officially. Divorce is always ugly, but I thank God she was mature about it.'
However, he expressed concern that his ex-wife's refusal to grant him access to their children has had a profound impact on his life, saying, 'I have not been granted access for a year now by Tina Kaggia, although I support them through insurance. This has affected me, and that is why I have not been in the industry for a while.'
JB Masanduku's message to any parent who denies the other parent access to their kids is, 'Eventually, it will affect the kid's life, and once they are 18 years, the government allows them to come to look for their fathers, so it is just fair for them to know that it was their mum or dad who denied access to the other.'
When reached out to for comment, Tina Kagia laughed at the allegations and hung up.
