Engineers unlawfully detained in Equatorial Guinea released
'Their release follows a pardon from the president of Equatorial Guinea, for which the families are extremely grateful. This brings an end to a harrowing ordeal of anguish, uncertainty and unwavering efforts by many to secure their freedom,' the families said in a statement.
In July 2024, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that their imprisonment was arbitrary, unlawful and in breach of multiple international human rights obligations.
The UN also, at the time, called for their immediate release.
'We are overwhelmed with relief and joy. The last two years and four months have been unimaginably painful for both of our families. Today, we are finally able to say: Frik and Peter are safely back home,' said family spokespersons Shaun Murphy and Francois Nigrini.
The families thanked everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, including the engineers' employer SBM Offshore, the South African and UK governments, international diplomatic partners, parliamentarians, legal teams, Hostage International and other civil society organisations and the media.
'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.'
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The Citizen
13 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Kenny Kunene resigns
Here's your daily news update for Saturday, 26 July 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes the resignation of suspended Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene as a councillor in the city of Johannesburg, effective immediately. The national commissioner of the South African Police Service (Saps), General Fannie Masemola, and Lesotho police chief Advocate Borotho Matsoso have confirmed a collaborative investigation into allegations of military-style training camps for Basotho on some South African farms. Furthermore, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has expressed serious concern over the leak of a confidential affidavit belonging to a key state witness in the fraud and money laundering case involving self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his co-accused. Weather tomorrow: 27 July 2025 The South African Weather Service (Saws) has issued a yellow level 2 warning for damaging winds in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday. This is expected between Port Edward and Kosi Bay. A yellow level 1 warning for damaging winds has been issued for the Richtersveld and Nama-Khoi municipalities in the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape on Sunday. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Suspended Kenny Kunene resigns as councillor and MMC for transport in Joburg Suspended Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy president Kenny Kunene has resigned as a councillor in the city of Johannesburg with immediate effect. Kunene made the announcement in a letter on Saturday afternoon. Kenny Kunene. Picture: Gallo Images Kunene's resignation comes after the PA deputy leader was seen at the home of Katiso 'KT' Molefe, who has been arrested in connection with the murder of popular South African DJ Oupa John Sefoka, known as DJ Sumbody. CONTINUE READING: Suspended Kenny Kunene resigns as councillor and MMC for transport in Joburg Police investigate allegations of Basotho military-style training camps in South Africa The national commissioner of the South African Police Service (Saps), General Fannie Masemola, and Lesotho police chief advocate Borotho Matsoso have confirmed a collaborative investigation into allegations of military-style training camps for Basotho on some South African farms. National police commissioner Fannie Masemola. Picture: Gallo Images Matsoso this week warned of such camps that could destabilise both countries. 'It is not necessarily young Basotho, but Basotho nationals of different ages, especially males. We have discovered that they have been recruited to join this military training in some of the farms in South Africa. This is what we have come across,' Matsoso told Newzroom Afrika. CONTINUE READING: Police investigate allegations of Basotho military-style training camps in South Africa Leaked Bushiri case affidavit puts witness at risk, warns NPA The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has expressed serious concern over the leak of a confidential affidavit belonging to a key state witness in the fraud and money laundering case involving self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his co-accused. Self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court during their bail application on 4 November 2020. Picture: Jacques Nelles The NPA said the affidavit forms part of the documents in the case docket that was disclosed to the defence for the accused to prepare for their trial. CONTINUE READING: Leaked Bushiri case affidavit puts witness at risk, warns NPA The Constitutional Court has set down a date to hear the MK party's urgent application against President Cyril Ramaphosa to place police minister Senzo Mchunu on leave. President Cyril Ramaphosa and former president Jacob Zuma. Pictures: Nigel Sibanda, Gallo Images Former president Jacob Zuma and the MK party are seeking to invalidate Ramaphosa's decision to place Mchunu on a leave of absence and appoint Wits law professor Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister. CONTINUE READING: ConCourt sets date for MK party's case against Ramaphosa over Mchunu Police arrest 183 rape suspects in one week The South African Police Service (Saps) has arrested 183 suspects for rape in one week across the country, while a serial rapist in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was sentenced to 10 life terms and 70 years in prison. Picture: South African Police Service Police spokesperson, Amanda van Wyk, said this is one of the operations that are aimed at intensifying the police's efforts in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). CONTINUE READING: Police arrest 183 rape suspects in one week Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Ramaphosa: Police probe within year | Politics weakened Saps, NPA | Bad news for meat lovers
IOL News
3 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
3 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
