Pic: Independent newspaper

Durban – They have had no contact with their parents whatsoever in nine years, and now four children who were removed from their Russian parents amid allegations of sexual exploitation want to sever all ties.

In an application in the Durban High Court on Thursday, advocate André Stokes – who has been appointed as curator for the four children, now 17, 11, 10 and eight – asked for an order terminating or suspending the couple’s parental responsibilities and rights.

If granted, it will mean that they can no longer stand in the way of attempts by the children’s foster parents to adopt them.

“They deserve finality and permanency after the drawn-out legal battles during the past nine years,” said Stokes in an affidavit before Judge Anton van Zyl.

“It is time for the adoption hearing to commence. The parents will not be stopped from participating in this but this application is aimed at preventing a situation where, through the unreasonable refusal to consent, they can frustrate the process.

“It also stops them putting their needs ahead of their children.”

Go to http://www.iol.co.za/news/ for more details