Latest news with #FrikPotgieter
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
SA engineers released from Equatorial Guinea jail after diplomatic push and presidential clemency
Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, were released following high-level diplomatic interventions and granted presidential clemency by Equatorial Guinea's long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, have returned home after spending more than two years in prison in Equatorial Guinea on what their families and government officials have described as trumped-up drug charges. The pair were released following high-level diplomatic interventions and granted presidential clemency by Equatorial Guinea's long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Potgieter and Huxham were arrested on 9 February 2023 and sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted on drug-related charges. Both men maintained their innocence throughout the ordeal, with mounting pressure from their families, legal representatives, and the South African government to secure their release. After sustained diplomatic efforts by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the engineers finally landed back in South Africa on Saturday night to emotional scenes at the airport. Their families have since requested privacy to celebrate the long-awaited reunion in peace. The breakthrough in the case came after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations involving senior government officials, including former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor and her successor, Ronald Lamola. Both made official visits to Equatorial Guinea, where they lobbied for the release of the two men and raised concerns about the fairness of their trial. DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri on Monday expressed gratitude to Equatorial Guinea's government for granting the clemency that allowed the two engineers to return home. 'South Africa expresses its sincere gratitude to the government of Equatorial Guinea for considering – and ultimately granting – this presidential pardon,' said Phiri. 'We are pleased that Mr Potgieter and Mr Huxham are safely back with their loved ones.' A family spokesperson, Shaun Murphy, described the homecoming as a bittersweet but joyous moment following more than two years of anguish and uncertainty. 'This is a happy day – one the families have waited for with hope and heartbreak,' said Murphy. 'The past two years and four months have been unimaginably painful. We express our deepest appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes – from legal experts to diplomatic teams – to bring Frik and Peter home.' Sources close to the negotiations say the engineers' release was also part of broader discussions about improving diplomatic ties and economic cooperation between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea. President Obiang, Africa's longest-serving head of state, has previously used presidential pardons to manage international diplomatic tensions. In this case, South African officials praised his gesture as one of goodwill. While details of the engineers' detention conditions remain closely guarded, advocacy groups have raised concerns about their treatment and access to legal representation. As the men settle back into life at home, questions remain about how South Africans working abroad are protected and how future incidents can be prevented. 'This case highlights the importance of robust consular services and diplomatic channels in protecting our citizens abroad,' said a senior government official. For now, the focus is on healing and rebuilding. 'We're just thankful that this nightmare is over,' Murphy added. 'Now it's time to move forward.'
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
SA engineers released from Equatorial Guinea jail after diplomatic push and presidential clemency
Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, were released following high-level diplomatic interventions and granted presidential clemency by Equatorial Guinea's long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, have returned home after spending more than two years in prison in Equatorial Guinea on what their families and government officials have described as trumped-up drug charges. The pair were released following high-level diplomatic interventions and granted presidential clemency by Equatorial Guinea's long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Potgieter and Huxham were arrested on 9 February 2023 and sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted on drug-related charges. Both men maintained their innocence throughout the ordeal, with mounting pressure from their families, legal representatives, and the South African government to secure their release. After sustained diplomatic efforts by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the engineers finally landed back in South Africa on Saturday night to emotional scenes at the airport. Their families have since requested privacy to celebrate the long-awaited reunion in peace. The breakthrough in the case came after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations involving senior government officials, including former International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor and her successor, Ronald Lamola. Both made official visits to Equatorial Guinea, where they lobbied for the release of the two men and raised concerns about the fairness of their trial. DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri on Monday expressed gratitude to Equatorial Guinea's government for granting the clemency that allowed the two engineers to return home. 'South Africa expresses its sincere gratitude to the government of Equatorial Guinea for considering – and ultimately granting – this presidential pardon,' said Phiri. 'We are pleased that Mr Potgieter and Mr Huxham are safely back with their loved ones.' A family spokesperson, Shaun Murphy, described the homecoming as a bittersweet but joyous moment following more than two years of anguish and uncertainty. 'This is a happy day – one the families have waited for with hope and heartbreak,' said Murphy. 'The past two years and four months have been unimaginably painful. We express our deepest appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes – from legal experts to diplomatic teams – to bring Frik and Peter home.' Sources close to the negotiations say the engineers' release was also part of broader discussions about improving diplomatic ties and economic cooperation between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea. President Obiang, Africa's longest-serving head of state, has previously used presidential pardons to manage international diplomatic tensions. In this case, South African officials praised his gesture as one of goodwill. While details of the engineers' detention conditions remain closely guarded, advocacy groups have raised concerns about their treatment and access to legal representation. As the men settle back into life at home, questions remain about how South Africans working abroad are protected and how future incidents can be prevented. 'This case highlights the importance of robust consular services and diplomatic channels in protecting our citizens abroad,' said a senior government official. For now, the focus is on healing and rebuilding. 'We're just thankful that this nightmare is over,' Murphy added. 'Now it's time to move forward.'
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
SA engineers freed from Equatorial Guinea jail after diplomatic push
South African engineers jailed on drug charges in Guinea have been released after diplomatic interventions and presidential clemency. South African engineers Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham returned home on Saturday night after being detained in Equatorial Guinea for more than two years. Picture: X/@RonaldLamola The government's behind-the-scenes diplomacy and engagements with the government of Guinea – including visits by former international relations and cooperation minister Naledi Pandor and her successor, Ronald Lamola – bore fruit this week when engineers Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham were released from jail in Equatorial Guinea. The two were arrested and detained in Guinea on 9 February, 2023 on drug-related charges, which they maintain were trumped up. Engineers unlawfully detained on drug-related charges They were sentenced to 12 years in jail, but released after being granted clemency by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. The families of the two have asked for privacy to celebrate their return following many months of negotiations and prayers. ALSO READ: SA engineers unlawfully jailed in Equatorial Guinea are 'safely back home' Department of international relations and cooperation spokesperson Chrispin Phiri welcomed the release, saying: 'South Africa expresses its sincere gratitude to the government of Equatorial Guinea for considering – and ultimately granting – this presidential pardon, allowing Huxham and Potgieter to return home to their loved ones,' he said. A spokesperson for the families, Shaun Murphy, described the duo's homecoming as an eventually happy day. 'A happy day' Murphy said the past two years and four months had been unimaginably painful for both families. 'The families expressed their deepest appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes,' he said. NOW READ: Families of SA engineers detained in Equatorial Guinea hopeful following Lamola's visit
Mail & Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
South African engineers released from Equatorial Guinea prison
Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham were jailed for more than two years after Vice-president Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue's assets were seized in Cape Town South African engineers Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, detained for more than two years on what their families have long called 'trumped-up' charges, arrived home on Saturday night after receiving a presidential pardon from Equatorial Guinea. The men landed at Lanseria Airport, where International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola welcomed them and phoned President Cyril Ramaphosa so that he could speak to them. Their release marks the end of an ordeal that began Huxham, a dual British-South African citizen, and Potgieter, a South African, had been working in Equatorial Guinea for more than a decade on oil and gas vessels for Dutch company SBM Offshore. They were about to fly home after a five‑week contract when they were detained and charged with drug trafficking. According to the families, no credible evidence or witness testimony was presented during their June 2023 trial. The men were handed 12-year prison sentences and ordered to pay $5 million each in damages, despite their sealed, combination-locked luggage was only opened by authorities five days after their arrest. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention intervened in July 2024, issuing a formal opinion declaring the men's detention 'illegal and arbitrary' and calling for their immediate release. Arbitrary detention is a violation of international human rights guarantees, including the right to liberty and security of a person as set out in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. While imprisoned in Mongomo, a facility reserved for political prisoners, their physical and mental health deteriorated. While they were still incarcerated, family spokesperson Shaun Murphy said Potgieter had a sleep apnoea machine but needed parts for it and, although they had received medication it had run out and more had to be sent through SBM Offshore, which sells systems and services to the offshore oil and gas industry, or the consulate. Huxham and Potgieter had last seen their families in December 2022 and were granted only five brief phone calls while in prison. Their families launched an international campaign for their release, making emotional pleas for clemency and urging the South African government to intervene. In response, international diplomats, parliamentarians and organisations such as Hostage International added their voices to the call for the men's release. The families thanked those who worked behind the scenes, including SBM Offshore, the South African and British governments, international diplomatic partners, legal teams and civil society organisations. They specifically thanked former International Relations and Cooperation Minister '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,' Murphy said. '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.' In a statement at the weekend, the international relations department said the government acknowledged the complexity of the matter, including its sensitive diplomatic and legal dimensions. 'The government of South Africa remains committed to strengthening bilateral relations with Equatorial Guinea and reaffirms its dedication to constructive engagement, mutual respect, and the resolution of challenges through diplomatic channels,' it said.
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Freed engineers held in Equatorial Guinea for two years begin journey to 'recovery'
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola. Image: GCIS THE families of two South African engineers who were locked up in an Equatorial Guinea's Mongomo Prison for two years have asked for privacy following the release of Frederik 'Frik' Potgieter, 53, and Peter Huxham, 55, at the weekend. The two were arrested at their hotel in Malabo in Equatorial Guinea on February 9, 2023 on drug-related charges and subsequently found guilty of trafficking and illicit possession of drugs. They were sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment each and ordered to pay $5 million (more than R96m) each in damages with an additional $2.5m (more than R48m) fine to be shared between them. The men denied any wrongdoing. South African engineers, Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter have been released from the Equatorial Guinea prison, where they had been detained since February 2023. Image: File 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 Since their arrest, their families as well as the South African government had advocated for their release. Government efforts included sending Special Envoys to secure their release on humanitarian grounds. Their release was secured through a pardon from Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. "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 expressed their appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, including Frik and Peter's 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. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronlad Lamola, welcomed Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham home at Lanseria Airport with their families. Image: Supplied
