Madonna on her new son, David Banda

David Banda, the 13-month-old Malawian boy Madonna is hoping to adopt arrived at London's Heathrow airport at about 6:20 a.m., Tuesday aboard a British Airways 747 from Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg . With him were one of Madonna's bodyguards and a female aide, described by the BBC as the singer's personal assistant, who upon arrival shielded the baby from photographers with a coat reports People Magazine

On Monday, The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC), a grouping of 67 human rights NGOs in Malawi, tried to halt the adoption

Justin Dzonzi, HRCC's chairman, says the group wants to make sure Malawi's laws "are not bent" for the 48-year-old singer.

"The laws of Malawi are clear that if one wants to adopt a child one has to stay with the child for at least 18 months for assessment," he said.

"Madonna and her legal counsel have been working on her plans to adopt a baby from Malawi for quite some time. She had hoped to keep this very private and a family matter, but things didn't go that way," the singer's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, tells PEOPLE. "I was not made aware of many of the chapters in this ongoing process. Hopefully Madonna and family will soon be reunited once everything goes through."

Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, confirmed Monday that David had been granted a passport and visa, the BBC reports. "It is expected that the family will be reunited within the next few days," Rosenberg said in a statement, adding that Madonna was "going to do her best to not make it a public circus."

Shortly after David arrived in London, Madonna spoke out for the first time about the adoption. The pop singer also addressed the HRCC's criticism

My husband and I began the adoption process many months prior to our trip to Malawi. I did not wish to disclose my intentions to the world prior to the adoption happening as this is a private family matter.

After learning that there were over one million orphans in Malawi, it was my wish to open up our home and help one child escape an extreme life of hardship, poverty and in many cases death, as well as expand our family.

Nevertheless, we have gone about the adoption procedure according to the law like anyone else who adopts a child. Reports to the contrary are totally inaccurate. The procedure includes an 18-month evaluation period after which time we hope to make this adoption permanent.

This was not a decision or commitment that my family or I take lightly.

I am overwhelmed and inspired by my trip to Malawi and hope that it helps bring attention to how much more the world needs to do to help the children of Africa.

My heartfelt thanks for all the good wishes I have received and I hope the press will allow my family some room for us to experience the joy we feel to have David home.