Two South African engineers released from Equatorial Guinea jail over two years after arrest

Daily Maverick

3 hours ago

The long-awaited return of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham follows a presidential pardon, months of diplomatic negotiations and international calls for justice.
South African Frik Potgieter and dual UK-South African citizen Peter Huxham, oil engineers who had been imprisoned for more than two years in Equatorial Guinea, have finally returned home – freed by a presidential pardon that ends a harrowing ordeal marked by anguish, uncertainty and relentless diplomatic effort.
'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.
According to a declaration by the United Nations, Potgieter and Huxham had been unlawfully and arbitrarily detained in the west African country since 9 February 2023, following their conviction and sentencing to 12 years in prison on drug trafficking charges.
However, their families believe the true reason behind the arrests lies elsewhere. Just two days before their detention, the Western Cape Division of the High Court had ordered the seizure of a superyacht owned by Teodoro Obiang Mangue, the vice-president of Equatorial Guinea and son of the country's long-time president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
That order followed an earlier court decision to seize two luxury villas in Cape Town also linked to Mangue. Both seizures were connected to a separate legal matter involving another South African citizen allegedly imprisoned unlawfully in Equatorial Guinea.
'Complex' negotiations
In July 2024, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued a formal opinion stating that the men's trial had been unfair and that their continued detention was 'arbitrary and illegal'. It called for their immediate release, a call that went unheeded by Equatorial Guinea's president, despite direct appeals from both the incumbent minister of international relations, Ronald Lamola, and his predecessor, Naledi Pandor.
Their eventual release, announced on 21 June, followed clemency granted by the president of Equatorial Guinea after months of sustained diplomatic appeals led by the South African government.
'The Government of the Republic of South Africa welcomes the release,' the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said.
It expressed 'sincere gratitude' to Equatorial Guinea for granting the pardon and enabling Potgieter and Huxham to reunite with their families. It also recognised the extensive and complex diplomatic work behind the scenes, acknowledging the 'sensitive legal and bilateral dimensions' of the case.
Since the men's arrest, the South African government remained actively engaged through official diplomatic channels, regularly appealing for clemency on humanitarian grounds. Special envoys were dispatched, and ongoing engagement was maintained at ministerial level.
The department also acknowledged the constructive diplomatic engagement maintained throughout the ordeal. It reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Equatorial Guinea, praising the cooperation that allowed consular access and facilitated ongoing dialogue, even amid considerable diplomatic strain.
Families express relief and gratitude
Since their detainment, the families of Potgieter and Huxham have undertaken extensive efforts to secure their release, including launching the 'Free Frik and Peter' campaign with a dedicated website and online petition to raise awareness and demand urgent government action.
They had engaged the South African Parliament, which adopted a unanimous motion calling for their immediate release and condemned their unlawful imprisonment. The families also appealed to the Pan-African Parliament for intervention and sought support from international bodies including the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which declared their detention illegal and arbitrary.
'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,' said Murphy and Nigrini.
The families extended heartfelt thanks to all who supported them during the long campaign for release, including SBM Offshore, the men's employer, the South African and UK governments, international diplomatic partners, parliamentarians, legal teams, Hostage International, civil society organisations and members of the media.
They also specifically thanked Pandor and Lamola, both of whom travelled to Equatorial Guinea as special envoys on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
'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.'
As Potgieter and Huxham begin the process of recovery and healing, their families have asked for privacy. DM