Two years of suffering, fear and uncertainty. That is how the families of the South African engineers Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham described their incarceration in Equitorial Guinea. Sunday marked two years since the men were unlawfully detained in the Central African country.
Their families have now renewed calls to the governments of South Africa and the United Kingdom to intensify efforts to bring the men home. A petition calling for their immediate release has garnered close to 15 000 signatures to date.
“These past two years have been a nightmare, one which both Frik and Peter and their families would like to put behind them as soon as possible so that they can move on with their lives. Frik and Peter are innocent men caught in a political storm not of their making. During our very limited number of calls with them (4 with Frik and 6 with Peter) over the past two years, it is clear that their physical and mental health is deteriorating and that their hope is waning too,” said Shaun Murphy and Francois Nigrini, spokespersons for the families.
In their joint statement, the families are requesting the following:
1. ONGOING SOUTH AFRICAN DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT:
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Minister Ronald Lamola, and President Cyril Ramaphosa must continue to engage their counterparts in Equatorial Guinea to secure Frik and Peter’s immediate release.
2. UK INTERVENTION:
As a dual UK-South African citizen, Peter’s case also requires the UK government to do everything in their power to bring both men home.
3. ACCOUNTABILITY FROM PARLIAMENT:
The South African Parliament must continue to hold government officials accountable, ensuring that every avenue is pursued with urgency and determination.
4. CLEMENCY FROM EQUATORIAL GUINEA’S PRESIDENT:
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, a devout Catholic and a father, has the power to show compassion and grant Frik and Peter clemency. We plead with him to end their suffering.
READ MORE: Intensified calls for DIRCO to bring Frik & Peter home
