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Mail & Guardian
23-06-2025
- 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
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
TimesLIVE
22-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
Engineers unlawfully detained in Equatorial Guinea released
The families of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham confirmed on Saturday that the two South African engineers, who had been unlawfully detained in Equatorial Guinea since February 9 2023, have been released and are back in South Africa. '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.'
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
SA engineers unlawfully jailed in Equatorial Guinea are ‘safely back home'
Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham were detained for more than two years after being accused of drug trafficking. 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 Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, the two South African engineers who spent more than two years in jail in Equatorial Guinea, have finally returned home. According to their families, the men were able to return to South Africa after receiving a pardon from Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. 'Fabricated' drug charges Potgieter and Huxman had been detained since 9 February 2023 and were facing drug trafficking charges. They were arrested while working in the country for the company SBM Offshore. The families had maintained that these charges were fabricated. In July 2024, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that the men's imprisonment was unlawful and a breach of human rights. ALSO READ: Families of SA engineers detained in Equatorial Guinea hopeful following Lamola's visit 'Frik and Peter safely back home' '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 to secure Potgieter and Huxman's release, including SBM Offshore, the South African and UK governments, civil society organisations and the media. They also expressed gratitude to former Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor and the current Minister, Ronald Lamola. ALSO READ: Families of SA engineers jailed in Equatorial Guinea turn to Parliament Lamola thanks Equatorial Guinean government Lamola was with the families when the two men landed back on South African soil. 'South Africa expresses its sincere gratitude to the government of Equatorial Guinea for considering and ultimately granting this presidential pardon, allowing Mr Huxham and Mr Potgieter to return home to their loved ones,' he said. 'The coordinated collaboration between the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the families of the two men, and their employer, SBM Offshore, also played a significant role in facilitating their release.' The families claimed Potgieter and Huxham were arrested as a form of retaliation after South African courts ordered the seizure of a yacht and two luxury villas in Cape Town belonging to Equatorial Guinea Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue. NOW READ: Engineers' detainment in Equatorial Guinea sparks questions on government's inaction
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- The Citizen
Free after 2 years in foreign prison: SA engineers back on home soil
After enduring more than two harrowing years behind bars in Equatorial Guinea, Frik Potgieter, from George, and Langebaan resident Peter Huxham have finally returned to South African 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
