Latest news with #FrikPotgieter
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
South African engineers freed after two years in Equatorial Guinea jail
Two South African engineers have returned home after spending more than two years in jail in Equatorial Guinea on what the UN has called "arbitrary and illegal" drugs charges. Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, both in their mid-50s, were arrested in February 2023 after drugs were allegedly found in their luggage. They were sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined $5m (£4m) but have been given a presidential pardon after a long campaign by their families and the South African government. Their arrest came days after luxury assets belonging to Equatorial Guinea's Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang were seized in South Africa. A yacht and two Cape Town villas belonging to Obiang, who is also the son of Equatorial Guinea's president, were impounded in execution of a court ruling. "We are overwhelmed with relief and joy. The last two years and four months have been unimaginably painful for both of our families," according to a statement released by the two men's families. They were working for the Dutch oil and gas company SBM in Equatorial Guinea when they arrested the night before they were due to return home after a five-week stint in the country. The families had called for the assistance of the South African government as well as that of the UK government, as Mr Huxham has dual nationality. "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," said a post on X by South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention last year called for the pair's release, saying their detention was unlawful. Their families say the pair were arrested in retaliation for the seizure of the assets belonging to Equatorial Guinea's vice-president. The BBC has contacted Equatorial Guinea for comment. A South African official told the BBC it was for the courts to decide the fate of the yacht and villas, and the government couldn't intervene. Equatorial Guinea VP's superyacht and homes seized in South Africa The president's son who loves Bugattis and Michael Jackson World's longest-serving president to continue 43-year-rule Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa
BBC News
an hour ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham return to South Africa from jail in Equatorial Guinea
Two South African engineers have returned home after spending more than two years in jail in Equatorial Guinea on what the UN has called "arbitrary and illegal" drugs Potgieter and Peter Huxham, both in their mid-50s, were arrested in February 2023 after drugs were allegedly found in their were sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined $5m (£4m) but have been given a presidential pardon after a long campaign by their families and the South African arrest came days after luxury assets belonging to Equatorial Guinea's Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang were seized in South Africa. A yacht and two Cape Town villas belonging to Obiang, who is also the son of Equatorial Guinea's president, were impounded in execution of a court ruling."We are overwhelmed with relief and joy. The last two years and four months have been unimaginably painful for both of our families," according to a statement released by the two men's were working for the Dutch oil and gas company SBM in Equatorial Guinea when they arrested the night before they were due to return home after a five-week stint in the families had called for the assistance of the South African government as well as that of the UK government, as Mr Huxham has dual nationality."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," said a post on X by South African Foreign Minister Ronald United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention last year called for the pair's release, saying their detention was families say the pair were arrested in retaliation for the seizure of the assets belonging to Equatorial Guinea's BBC has contacted Equatorial Guinea for comment.A South African official told the BBC it was for the courts to decide the fate of the yacht and villas, and the government couldn't intervene. You may also be interested in: Equatorial Guinea VP's superyacht and homes seized in South AfricaThe president's son who loves Bugattis and Michael JacksonWorld's longest-serving president to continue 43-year-rule Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- 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.'
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
South African engineers granted clemency by Equatorial Guinea's President
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronlad Lamola, welcomed Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham home at Lanseria Airport with their families. Image: Supplied Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has confirmed that Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the President of Equatorial Guinea, has granted clemency for the two South African engineers imprisoned for drug trafficking charges two years ago. The families of engineers Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter also expressed their relief and gratitude to everyone including the South African government for never giving up on their plight Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said the release was a coordinated effort between the department, the families and their employer, SBM Offshore. 'The Government of the Republic of South Africa welcomes the release of Mr Peter Shane Huxham and Mr Frik Potgieter from detention in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. This release follows the granting of clemency by the President of Equatorial Guinea,' said Phiri. The duo were arrested on February 9, 2023 on drug trafficking charges and were sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment. They were working offshore in the central African country, and the arrest came just two days after a South African court ordered the seizure of a super yacht, called Blue Shadow valued above R300 million, and two luxury villas belonging to vice president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro 'Teodorin' Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of the president Mbasogo. "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,' said Phiri. 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, the South African Government has remained actively engaged through diplomatic channels, including sending Special Envoys, to secure their release on humanitarian grounds. Throughout these sustained engagements, the Government consistently appealed for clemency, highlighting the humanitarian aspects of the case and the profound impact on the families of the detained. 'The Government of South Africa acknowledges the complexity of the matter, including its sensitive diplomatic and legal dimensions. It appreciated the Government of Equatorial Guinea's continued provision of consular access and the spirit of constructive diplomatic dialogue that has been maintained throughout this period." Shaun Murphy and Francois Nigrini, spokespersons for the families, said they were relieved. '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. 'The families expressed their deepest 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. 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. ' The families also thanked South Africans and everyone worldwide for signing their online petition which called for their release. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- 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
