"We expect her over the weekend or even earlier than that ... but without a doubt she is coming," said an official at the Ministry of Child Development, which deals with foreign adoptions.

Sources also confirmed that Madonna may attend a procedural hearing at the High Court on a second adoption on Monday. However, child rights activists noted that as a single parent the singer could face a bigger legal battle second time round, as Malawian law strongly favours adoptions by married couples.

"She will have to prove that as a single parent she still has the abilities to raise another child alone," said John Phiri, a local activist who strongly criticised the Government over the previous adoption for apparently bending the regulations.