Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham have been released after more than two years in unlawful detention in Equatorial Guinea.
The engineers had been detained in the country since 9 February 2023.
Last night, Potgieter and Huxham arrived back in South Africa. The Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola welcomed them at Lanseria Airport.
Lamola, also called President Cyril Ramaphosa, who had a brief telephonic conversation with the men, welcoming them back home.
Their release follows a pardon from the President of Equatorial Guinea.
In a joint statement issued by their families, they have expressed their gratitude.
“This brings an end to a harrowing ordeal of anguish, uncertainty, and unwavering efforts by many to secure their freedom.”
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 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.
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.”
READ: Frik and Peter’s story
