Orphan leaves with Madonna amid conflict

LILONGWE, Malawi, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Madonna flew out of the African nation of Malawi Monday, accompanied by her 1-year-old adopted son David Banda.

While Malawi's Human Rights Consultative Committee has openly opposed the adoption, the young orphan accompanied the 48-year-old singer on a chartered flight to South Africa, People magazine said.

"At about 4 o'clock Malawi time, we stamped five passports. One for David Banda, who was listed as having been born on Sept. 24, 2005, and two Brits and two Americans," an African immigration officer confirmed.

The HRCP has claimed that Malawian officials have flouted typical area adoption laws by allowing the pop singer a waiver for the adoption.

People said the adoption process has not been opposed by Banda's father, Yohane Banda, and Alan Chinula, a lawyer for the singer, confirmed that all necessary paperwork has been filed.