SA engineers detained in Equatorial Guinea back home
A family statement mentioned that 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.
When South Africans connect, we don't just network; we build a community. The Lekker Network is a professional network where every conversation starts with, 'How can I help you?' Come join us & be a part of a community of extraordinary Saffas.
In July 2024, the United Nations 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 expressed their deepest appreciation to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, including Potgieter and Huxham'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.
They are also grateful to former Minister of International Relations, Naledi Pandor, and the current Minister, Ronald Lamola, who visited Equatorial Guinea as envoys for the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
They also thanked the tens of thousands of individuals worldwide who signed petitions, supported media advocacy, offered emotional support and prayed for their safe return.
'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.
'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. We now respectfully ask for privacy and space as Frik, Peter and their families begin the journey of healing,' the families said. Post your 'welcome home' messages below, by …
Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Political pressure mounts for banking sector regulation in South Africa
SA's big banks' trade policies in the spotlight Image: IOL HEATED calls for a body to regulate the practices of the country's banking sector, especially from political circles, have emerged once again. They are dismayed with the wanton power that banks currently possess, which included cherry-picking which clients' accounts could be shut without justification. Parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Umkhonto WeSizwe Party (MKP) were very vocal about the establishment a formal adjudication body to oversee banks. Donald Trump's tough stance on US banks has got South Africans thinking Image: Lee Ronganger 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ The conversation resurfaced yet again after US President Donald Trump's plans to have their nation's banks powers reviewed for what he called 'politicising or unlawful banking practices'. However, unlike the US, the South African Constitution does not give President Cyril Ramaphosa such leverage to regulate the powers of the country's banks, due process must be followed. Earlier this year, the South African banks came under strong criticism at a Parliamentary standing committee on finance meeting. The meeting focused on issues pertaining to competition, the provision of credit for productive activities, and transformation. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB), along with its Prudential Authority Institute, the Banking Association South Africa (BASA), Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), Standard Bank, FNB, Absa, Investec, Nedbank, and Capitec were in attendance. In the latter part of 2023, there were reports that banks were charging clients rates based on the colour of their skin. That revelation caused people to ask pertinent questions about the regulation of banks. The move by Trump's got people asking similar questions as well as why doesn't Ramaphosa implement similar policies as his US counterpart. Labour expert Michael Bagraim responded that the country's Constitution doesn't allow for Ramaphosa to exercise absolute authority and interfere with the banking sector. 'There is no possibility that our president can do something similar to what the Trump presidency has done. We are governed by a much more inclusive constitutional democracy and our laws would not allow such horrific powers to be given to an individual. "The American system gives despotic power to the American presidency,' Bagraim explained. His sentiments were echoed by Professor Siphamandla Zondi, who said the constitutional and political system does not give the president such executive power to punish such wrongdoings. 'In our case, the president should be reporting these matters of debanking and banks' misdemeanors to the regulators and the reserve bank. "The fact these issues continue in our banking sector means those tasked with supervisory and oversight roles are weak and ineffective,' said Zondi. Previously the MK Party had expressed its concerns about banking issues through its member of parliament, Sanele Mwali. Mwali raised concerns that the banks were displaying and "perpetuating unfairness and neo-apartheid systems of racist practices post-1994". He accused banks of exercising double standards when dealing with clients. "We have seen that there were companies covered in controversy in the financial sector, for instance Tongaat, Steinhoff, and Glencor, but they still have accounts with the major banks. "But Sekunjalo and others have already faced their day in court and they've already experienced closure of their accounts. Mwali said such actions by the country's major banks was a concern and he supported the notion that there discrimination within the financial sector still existed. DAILY NEWS
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Tebogo Malaka ‘sting' – here's why Daily Maverick did it and what's next
The action of the Independent Development Trust's CEO and her spokesperson is an assault on the fourth estate, a vital pillar of a functioning democracy, and on freedom of expression. It's been more than three years since the State Capture commission wrapped up its work. Precious little has been done in the way of prosecuting those responsible for pillaging this country's coffers. So woeful is this lethargy that even former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo recently lambasted President Cyril Ramaphosa 's government, a highly unusual step for someone in Zondo's position. Failing to act on past State Capture crimes is one thing. Sadly, though, it is starting to dawn on South Africans that our ongoing corruption crisis is as grievous as it had been when the Zuma-Gupta syndicate ruled the roost. Whistle-blowers and forensic investigators are being gunned down. Shady contractors with no real business bona fides still clinch huge government contracts. Our President, for some reason, keeps cash in his couches. The deputy president and his family sit on vast assets that they can't quite explain. Two of Ramaphosa's 'post-capture' ministers have been caught in huge graft scandals. One of them resigned from the Cabinet, but still ended up as a Member of Parliament. The other was simply reshuffled to a new portfolio. Recent allegations regarding our police service read like a horror story. Entire pockets of the police, along with the organisation's political custodians, may very well be in the clutches of criminals. It is in this unsettling milieu that Daily Maverick decided to investigate the Independent Development Trust (IDT), a lesser-known yet important state body that spends billions of rands on social infrastructure projects. Our investigation into the IDT's R836-million oxygen plants debacle led us ever deeper into the IDT and its CEO's affairs. Somewhere along this research journey, we must have triggered a very sensitive nerve. The IDT's spokesperson got in touch with our journalist. He said he had 'very sensitive' business to discuss. A first meeting ensued, one in which promises of tenders and cash payments dominated the conversation. The spokesperson, Phasha Makgolane, wanted to set up another meeting to seal the deal. Makgolane's boss, Tebogo Malaka, would avail herself for this second gathering, the spokesperson promised. This left Daily Maverick with a crucial decision to make: spurn whatever advances Makgolane had made up to that point, or string them along with the hope of documenting a most compelling instance of alleged bribery. We went for the latter option. It was a tack that was always guaranteed to spark some debate, even if it achieved its goal of exposing high-level malfeasance. Journalistic 'stings' aren't exactly unheard of, but they're certainly unusual. They involve deceit and covert tactics, plus a level of planning and resources that nowadays aren't readily available to newsrooms. But we strongly believe it was more than justified. In a normal world, it would not fall to journalists to conduct sting operations, complete with hidden cameras and surveillance. But these are not normal times. In normal times, action would be swift off the back of the evidence presented. In normal times, the systems which should hold power to account would react. An arrest warrant issued. But, these are not normal times. The action of the IDT's CEO and her spokesperson is an assault on the fourth estate, a vital pillar of a functioning democracy, and on freedom of expression. Corruption, particularly within state entities such as the IDT, diverts public funds, undermines service delivery and erodes trust in governance. Journalists are not merely reporters; they are conduits of information essential for citizens to hold their leaders accountable. But these are not normal times. To accept a bribe, or to simply walk away from such an offer without exposing it, would be a betrayal of this fundamental responsibility. It would also be a betrayal if we stopped there. Good journalism plays the role of a watchdog – shining a light on abuse of power, corruption and injustice – not enforcing the law. But in these abnormal times, it falls to us to act in self defence and hold the line. To risk our lives to expose the truth. In another time, when the other three pillars of a democracy are functioning at strength, our job would be done. But history has shown that exposure is not enough. So while we strive against becoming political actors or activists, we cannot maintain a passive role when journalism is the target of bad actors intent on snuffing out our torches. To safeguard our independence, freedom of expression and to fight against this tendency to bribe journalists, Daily Maverick will be taking legal steps in the form of criminal charges against our would-be bribers. Anything less is a dereliction of our duty. DM Jillian Green is the Editor-in-Chief of Daily Maverick and Pieter-Louis Myburgh Daily Maverick's senior investigative journalist.
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Ramaphosa talks to Putin about US efforts to end Russia's war on Ukraine
The South African President's call to the Russian leader followed one he made to US President Donald Trump about a different matter. President Ramaphosa spoke on the phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, just a day after he (Ramaphosa) spoke to US President Donald Trump. The two calls, however, covered very different subjects. While Ramaphosa spoke to Trump mainly about the massive 30% trade tariffs that were to hit SA, Ramaphosa and Putin spoke mainly about Trump's efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, confirmed that the call had taken place. 'The discussion followed President Putin's request to brief President Ramaphosa on the peace process with Ukraine and to engage on issues of mutual bilateral interest. President Putin expressed his recognition and appreciation for South Africa's involvement in advancing a peace process between Russia and Ukraine,' said Magwenya. He added that Ramaphosa 'welcomed the briefing and expressed South Africa's full support to peace initiatives that will end the war and contribute to a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.' Magwenya said the two leaders agreed to further their discussions on moving forward the strategic relationship between their two countries. The Kremlin also released information that, 'Vladimir Putin shared the main results of the conversation held the day before in Moscow with the special envoy of the president of the United States, Steven Witkoff.' Cyril Ramaphosa expressed appreciation for the information provided. The Russian side also noted in a positive way the well-known peace initiative of African states. including South Africa, to resolve the Ukrainian crisis. 'The leaders discussed topical issues of further development of the Russian-South African Republic comprehensive strategic partnership.' It also confirmed that the two presidents agreed to continue their contacts. Putin was referring to the meeting he had in Moscow on Wednesday with Witkoff, Trump's special envoy on the Russia-Ukraine peace process. According to ABC, Witkoff met Putin ahead of Trump's Friday deadline for Moscow to make peace with Ukraine 'or face severe sanctions'. It quoted a senior US administration official as saying the meeting 'went well' and Russia wished to continue engaging with the US, but secondary sanctions were still expected to be deployed against Moscow this week. 'The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday,' said the senior administration official. There has been no visible progress in Trump's peace efforts, which has turned him against Putin. However, in a typical response on social media, he declared the meeting between Witkoff and Putin had been 'highly productive'. 'Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come,' wrote Trump. DM
