There is a glimmer of hope for Frik Potgieter from George and Peter Huxham from Langebaan, the engineers imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea (EG), allegedly illegally since February 9, 2023, as Parliament yesterday adopted a unanimous motion calling for their immediate release.

The two men were arrested in EG two days after South African courts seized the luxury superyacht belonging to EG Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the president’s son.

Earlier, South African courts had also seized Obiang’s two luxury Cape Town villas in Clifton and Bishopscourt.

These assets were impounded following a court ruling in South Africa on a separate matter, completely unrelated to Huxham and Potgieter.

‘A violation of fundamental human rights’

Shaun Murphy, the spokesperson for the Potgieter family, said the South African Parliament has effectively endorsed the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s formal opinion, issued in July, which concluded that Huxham and Potgieter’s arrests and ongoing detention are arbitrary and illegal, and called for their immediate release.

“The imprisonment of these two innocent men by the Government of Equatorial Guinea is a direct violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to liberty and security of person, as enshrined in international law.”

According to Francois Nigrini, the spokesperson for the Huxham family, the outpouring of support for their release has been extraordinary, from both the South African public and the international community.

“Nearly 15 000 signatories from around the globe have added their voices to the FreeFrikandPeter.co.za petition, calling for immediate justice. This groundswell of support should be a clear signal to our government to do whatever it takes to secure their release and prioritise their case. Frik and Peter were innocent victims of being of the wrong nationality, at the wrong place, at the wrong time,” he said.

In Parliament

The motion without notice was tabled in Parliament by Emma Powell of the DA.

It was adopted unanimously, condemning the ongoing unlawful imprisonment of Potgieter and Huxham. It noted the formal opinion of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued on July 1, which concluded that Potgieter and Huxham’s arrests and detention in EG are arbitrary, illegal, and a gross violation of human rights, and that they should be released immediately.

The House reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to international law and human rights, supported efforts to ensure accountability for actions that violate these principles, stood in support of the families of Potgieter and Huxham, and called on the South African authorities to facilitate their release.

Visit www.freefrikandpeter.co.za to read their stories, sign the petition, and follow the social media channels.