Latest news with #R48m
IOL News
23-06-2025
- 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
IOL News
22-06-2025
- IOL News
South African engineers released from Equatorial Guinea prison after two years
South African engineers, Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter have been released from the Equatorial Guinea prison, where they had been detained since February 2023. The two South African engineers who were locked up in an Equatorial Guinea's Mongomo Prison for two years, have finally been released. Frederik 'Frik' Potgieter, 53, and Peter Huxham, 55, were arrested at their hotel in Malabo in Equatorial Guinea on February 9, 2023 on drug-related charges. They were later found guilty of trafficking and illicit possession of drugs and sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment each. In addition, they were 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. 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.
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Reconstruction of Coedmore Bridge still on track
THE construction of the Coedmore Bridge project remains on track to be completed by mid-June, with some of the key components nearing completion. Also read: Coedmore Bridge: New completion date confirmed Nolwandle Gcaba, Ward 64 community liaison officer, said that much progress was made. 'The V-drains on Coedmore Avenue side are progressing, subsoil drains installed on both sides of the bridge, stormwater pipes and manholes installed on Yellowwood Park side, preparation of layer works continued, hinge columns to support abatements in progress and height restriction poles reinstatement has been confirmed,' said Gcaba. She added at this stage, completion is still expected around mid-June. The Coedmore Bridge suffered severe damage in the 2022 floods and motorists have had to use diversion routes that take as long as 45 minutes to navigate. The eThekwini Municipality allocated R48m for the rehabilitation of the two-lane 90m bridge with pedestrian walkways. The funding was made possible by the National Treasury's Municipal Disaster Response Grant. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Construction of Coedmore Bridge makes steady progress
AS the construction of Coedmore Bridge edges closer to the mid-June completion date, steady progress is being made on the project. Also read: Coedmore Bridge: New completion date confirmed Nolwandle Gcaba, community liaison officer for Ward 64, said that concrete barriers are being installed across the bridge. 'Earthworks are also in motion preparing for road works, site clearing in compliance with environmental requirements, and reinstatement of site has begun, V-Drains on Coedmore Avenue side have been poured and abatement B backfilling almost complete,' said Gcaba. The steady progress being made comes as a relief for residents following the completion date being pushed back. 'The official completion date was set for May 8, however, like on any construction project there are variations and delays such as rain delays. They are currently working on the schedule for an updated completion date which at this stage will be around mid-June,' said Gcaba. The Coedmore bridge suffered severe damage in the 2022 floods and motorists have had to use diversion routes that take as long as 45 minutes to navigate. The eThekwini Municipality allocated R48m for the rehabilitation of the two-lane 90m bridge with pedestrian walkways. The funding was made possible by the National Treasury's Municipal Disaster Response Grant. For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
