Free after 2 years in foreign prison: SA engineers back on home soil
The two men, who were detained in Equatorial Guinea on 9 February 2023, have returned safely to South African soil following a presidential pardon granted by the President of Equatorial Guinea. Their families confirmed their release last night (21 June).
'This brings an end to an ordeal of anguish, uncertainty and unwavering efforts by many to secure their freedom,' said family spokespersons Shaun Murphy and Francois Nigrini.
'We are overwhelmed with relief and joy. The last two years and four months have been unimaginably painful for both our families. Today, we are finally able to say: Frik and Peter are safely back home,' the families' spokespersons said.
Shock after drug charges
Potgieter and Huxham are both engineers who were working for the Dutch company SBM Offshore in Equatorial Guinea when they were arrested at their hotel in Malabo on drug-related charges after it was alleged that a cocaine shipment was discovered on the same international flight the men were on.
They were convicted and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. In addition, they were ordered to pay $5M USD (R93,7m at the time of publishing) each in damages, with additional fines to be shared between them.
Potgieter and Huxham vehemently denied all charges from the outset and were shocked that any allegations related to drugs would be brought against them.
Their arrest in 2023 came two days after the high court in Cape Town authorised the attachment of a R300m superyacht, Blue Shadow, owned by Equatorial Guinea's vice-president Teodorin Nguema Obiang. The court order related to civil matter between Obiang and another South African.
The long fight for freedom
In July 2024, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that the Potgieter and Huxham's imprisonment was unlawful and violated numerous international human rights obligations. The UN also called for their immediate release at the time.
The families expressed deep gratitude to all those who supported them throughout the ordeal. This includes Frik and Peter's employer, SBM Offshore; the South African and UK governments; international diplomatic partners; parliamentarians; legal teams; Hostage International; civil society organisations; and members of the media.
They also extended their thanks to former Minister of International Relations, Dr Naledi Pandor, and current minister Ronald Lamola, who both travelled to Equatorial Guinea as presidential envoys on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Thousands of individuals across the globe signed petitions, supported media advocacy campaigns, offered emotional support and kept the families in their thoughts and prayers.
'Their return home is the result of collective efforts over many, many months, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who played a role in securing their freedom,' said the families.
'This has been a long and difficult journey. We want to thank every person who stood with us – your support carried us through our darkest moments.'
The families have now asked for privacy as the men begin the process of recovery and healing.
Read original story on www.georgeherald.com
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
SAPS intensifies probe into alleged Basotho Military Camps in South Africa
National commissioner of police, Lt-General Sehlahle Fannie Masemol says SAPS and Lesotho police are working together to investigate allegations of illegal camps, assuring South Africans that national safety and security remain the top priority. Image: Picture: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS The South African Police Service (SAPS) is intensifying efforts to dismantle organised crime operations and address recent allegations made by Lesotho's Police Commissioner, Advocate Borotho Matsoso, regarding possible illegal camps in South Africa. In a scheduled Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting, SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said he met with all nine provincial commissioners to assess and strengthen crime combating strategies nationwide. The BOC, the SAPS' highest decision-making structure, includes Provincial Commissioners, Divisional Commissioners, and the Acting National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks. IOL previously reported that Lesotho authorities claim they have credible intelligence that Basotho nationals are being trained militarily on South African farms as part of a growing land reclamation campaign. The land in question includes areas of Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. The group allegedly involved, calling itself Malata Naha ('land reclaimers'), has reportedly recruited individuals of various ages, including some South African citizens. Matsoso told Newzroom Afrika that the programme has the potential to destabilise the region: 'We have discovered that [Basotho nationals] have been recruited to join this military training in some of the farms in South Africa… This is what we have come across,' he said. During the meeting, Masemola expressed satisfaction with recent progress, stating that organised crime syndicates are being "dismantled, dislodged, displaced and arrested." A preliminary report from SAPS Crime Intelligence was tabled, addressing the cross-border crime concerns raised by Advocate Matsoso. Intelligence structures have reportedly 'heightened their operations to investigate allegations made and where necessary, track down and take down such illegal activities,' said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe in a statement. The DPCI's Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit has been deployed to investigate these allegations. According to the SAPS, 'Various searches have been undertaken by CATS at various identified farms and no such evidence has been found to date.' Mathe said Masemola has reached out to the Lesotho Police Chief, where the two commissioners discussed the allegations made by Advocate Matsoso. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading ''Both commissioners agreed that both law enforcement agencies intelligence structures are on the ground to investigate the existence of such camps,'' she said. 'General Fannie Masemola assures all people living in South Africa that the safety and security of the people of SA is of paramount importance and anyone who is found to be in the country committing illegal acts will face the full might of the law,'' said Mathe. She added: 'To this effect, intelligence structures and operatives are on the ground to establish facts.' The situation stems from a long-standing territorial dispute. Lesotho MP and leader of the Basotho Covenant Movement, Dr Tshepo Lipholo, has been at the forefront of the push to reclaim areas from South Africa. He was recently arrested in Lesotho and charged with sedition and incitement after allegedly calling for armed struggle and declaring himself the 'paramount chief of Basotholand'. Audio clips reportedly circulating on social media support these claims. Although Lipholo travelled to the United Nations earlier this year to submit a land claim, Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs distanced itself from the trip, clarifying that it was not sanctioned by the Maseru government. Lesotho's Prime Minister Samuel Matekane has since confirmed the state's concern, stating the campaign threatens peace and national stability. Citizens have been urged to remain calm. 'South Africans are urged not to panic or worry as police from both countries remain on high alert,' Mathe said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Kenny Kunene resigns as Johannesburg PR councillor
Suspended Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president, Kenny Kunene, has resigned as a PR councillor in the City of Johannesburg with immediate effect. The Witness reports that Kunene made the announcement in a letter on Saturday afternoon and comes after the PA deputy leader was seen outside the home of Katiso 'KT' Molefe, who has been arrested in connection with the murder of popular South African DJ, Oupa John Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody. 'I regret to inform you that I have tendered my resignation as a Proportional Representation Councillor for the Patriotic Alliance, effective immediately, and will thus be unable to continue as a member of your mayoral committee, responsible for transport,' Kunene said in his resignation letter. 'I am stepping aside from public life for a period while my party satisfies itself as to certain allegations that have been raised against me, which are unfounded, but I have nevertheless agreed it would be in the public interest for me to await the clearing of my name before considering a return to public service and duty.' The PA will now have to consider a replacement for Kunene's now-vacant seat on the Johannesburg city council. Kunene said he is proud of the contributions he made during his time as councillor and MMC. 'I believe I have always committed myself to serve the residents of Johannesburg with vigour, authenticity, and vision. During my two years as an MMC, I worked to be a force for good, championing accessible transport, confronting inefficiencies, and challenging systemic rot within our institutions. 'I remain a loyal patriot towards our broader political mission and will remain dedicated to the upliftment of our communities,' Kunene said. Read original story on
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Police crime intelligence on high alert over alleged plan to reclaim 'land stolen' from Lesotho — Masemola
The police crime intelligence division is investigating allegations of Basotho nationals undergoing military-style training on South African farms to reclaim land 'stolen' from the mountain kingdom. This comes after Lesotho police chief advocate Borotho Matsoso is reported to have confirmed the emergence of a group calling itself 'Malata Naha' which is allegedly recruiting Basotho youth from within the country and abroad to incite insurrection against their government and to fight for the contentious land in South Africa. The land being claimed includes parts of the Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Matsoso's comments come after the recent arrest of Lesotho MP Dr Tshepo Lipholo, leader of the Basotho Covenant Movement, a political party which has been demanding the return of Lesotho's 'stolen land'. The arrest sparked unrest in the country. On Saturday, national commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola said Matsoso's allegations were high on the agenda of a meeting with all nine provincial commissioners to discuss crime combating efforts in the country. 'A preliminary report from the crime intelligence division was discussed in which intelligence structures have highlighted that they have heightened their operations to investigate allegations made and where necessary, track down and take down such illegal activities. 'The DPCI, also known as the Hawks crimes against the state (CATS) unit has also been roped in to investigate. Various searches have been undertaken by CATS at various identified farms and no such evidence has been found to date.' Masemola said he reached out to Matsoso to discuss the allegations and they had agreed that both countries' law enforcement agencies' intelligence structures would investigate the existence of such camps. Masemola said intelligence structures and operatives were on the ground to establish facts and urged South Africans not to panic as police from both countries were on high alert. In 2023, Lipholo tabled a motion for the kingdom to reclaim South African territory that purportedly belonged to Lesotho in precolonial days. At the time Lipholo declared: 'It's time for what is ours to be returned to us.'
