SA engineers illegally detained abroad: ‘Renewed hope’ as minister visits Equatorial Guinea
Minister Ronald Lamola's Equatorial Guinea visit offers new hope for detained South African engineers as their families push for justice amid complex political disputes.
South African Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Ronald Lamola’s recent visit to Equatorial Guinea has renewed hope for the families of Frik Potgieter from George and Peter Huxham from Langebaan.
According to George Herald, the two engineers have been illegally detained on fabricated drug charges in Equatorial Guinea since February 2023.
During his meeting with his counterpart, Simeón Oyono Esono Angue, Lamola raised the ongoing detention of Potgieter and Huxham as a critical issue requiring resolution.
Family spokespersons Shaun Murphy and Francois Nigrini expressed cautious optimism following this diplomatic engagement.
“This visit brings a glimmer of hope to our families, who have endured the prolonged and unjust detention of Frik and Peter for far too long. These two engineers have dedicated years to Equatorial Guinea’s oil and gas sector, and to mentoring young Equatorial Guinean workers,” they said.
Medical intervention
Both men’s health has severely declined, with chronic medical conditions, significant weight loss, and psychological distress. Prison authorities have called for urgent medical intervention due to their worsening condition.
On July 1, 2023, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared their arrest and continued detention arbitrary and unlawful, calling for their immediate release.
“We earnestly urge our government to persist in these diplomatic efforts to secure their release. Their ongoing detention has inflicted profound distress on them and their families, who suffer daily from the absence of their loved ones,” Murphy added.
The families believe that sustained diplomatic efforts can achieve justice and uphold human rights.
Potgieter and Huxham, highly experienced, were working for Dutch company SBM Offshore in Equatorial Guinea when arrested on February 9, 2023. Convicted of drug-related charges, they were sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment and fined $5m (approximatelly R93.7m) each, along with additional shared fines.
Political crossfire
The two remain entangled in a political standoff between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea. Vice President Teodorin Obiang has allegedly linked their release to the outcome of a separate legal matter involving his Cape Town properties.
These properties are held by Daniel Janse van Rensburg from Hoekwil as security for a judgment awarded to him after his illegal detention in Equatorial Guinea’s Black Beach Prison between 2013 and 2015.
On November 19, 2024, South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal will hear Obiang’s petition to overturn a 2021 judgment that awarded Janse van Rensburg R39.88m in damages.
To amplify awareness and rally support, Potgieter and Huxham’s families have launched an online petition and social media campaigns on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
- Website
- Petition with over 13 500 signatures
- Social media:
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