The families of the two South African engineers imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea for over a year, are requesting that the International Relations Department (DIRCO) expedite efforts for the men’s release. It’s been 559 days since Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham were detained.

This week, their matter was the focus of a parliamentary session, in which the Portfolio Committee on International Relations was urged to prioritise their release.

The urgency of the matter follows the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s opinion issued on 1 July 2024, which declared their arrest and detention illegal, calling for their immediate release.

On 9 February, 2023, the authorities arrested Potgieter and Huxham. They were later sentenced to 12 years in prison on drug-related charges. This was just days after South African courts seized a belongings of Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue.

The engineers are believed to be caught in the diplomatic crossfire.

READ MORE: Families of SA men detained in Equatorial Guinea plea for release

During the meeting, the Committee tabled a request for scheduling a formal hearing with the families and summoning Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, to account for the government’s actions.

Committee member, Emma Powell, notes that in May, former Minister Naledi Pandor visited Equatorial Guinea to advocate for their release. She says there’s been little communication on the outcome of that visit.

 “What these families need is regular consular access to their husbands. They need to understand what deliberate and direct, targeted actions DIRCO is taking to dermash the Equatorial Guinea Embassy or ambassador in South Africa. Whether or not we would consider any sanctions or any consequence or punitive measures, insofar as the continued hostage situation goes.”

The Committee’s chair, Supra Mahumapelo, confirmed that the matter would receive urgent attention. He said it would write to the Minister and invite him to Parliament to address this matter.

Sonja Potgieter, Frik’s wife, and Kathy McConnachie, Peter’s partner, were in attendance. They are pleased that the Committee has agreed to table the matter.

“Frik and Peter are innocent. Their only ‘crime’ is being South African. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time… Why has there been no diplomatic action against Equatorial Guinea since the UN ruling? What is being done to ensure regular visits and to bring our beloved men home as quickly as possible? We need answes,” the women stated.

Meanwhile, a petition launched for the campaign to get the men home has garnered 11 000 signatures.