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 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
The Citizen
39 minutes ago
- 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
Eyewitness News
2 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
2 SA men unlawfully detained in Equatorial Guinea return home after presidential pardon
JOHANNESBURG - Two South African men who were unlawfully detained in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for more than two years have returned home following a presidential pardon. Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham were arrested by Equatorial Guinean police on 9 February 2023 on fabricated drug trafficking charges and were subsequently sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment. Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola welcomed the two men home at Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg on Saturday night, following the pardon by the president of Equatorial Guinea. On the night of 9 February 2023, the two engineers, who were on a working trip, checked into their hotel in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, and were scheduled to return home to South Africa the next morning. But that evening, the men were separately summoned to the hotel reception, unaware that they were about to be arrested on fabricated drug trafficking charges. Unbeknownst to them, their arrest followed South Africa's seizure of luxury assets belonging to Equatorial Guinea's vice president. Just two days before the men were arrested, the South African courts had impounded the vice president's super yacht, and before this, South African courts had seized his two luxury villas in Cape Town. The seizures followed a court ruling on a separate matter unrelated to the two men. Since their arrest, the South African government had engaged through diplomatic channels, including sending special envoys to secure their release on humanitarian grounds. In July 2024, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that the imprisonment of Potgieter and Huxham was arbitrary, unlawful, and a breach of multiple international human rights obligations and called for their immediate release. 'After two years and four months of unlawful detention, Frik and Peter are finally home,' said the families' spokesperson, Shaun Murphy. 'This brings to an end a long and painful ordeal, one marked by anguish, uncertainty and tireless efforts by so many to secure their freedom.'
IOL News
4 hours ago
- 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.
