The families of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, two South African engineers detained in Equatorial Guinea since February 9, 2023, have formally requested intervention from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to secure their immediate release. On June 24, they delivered their petition to PAP President Chief Fortune Charumbira during the opening of the third Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the PAP in Midrand.
In their appeal, the families highlighted that Frik and Peter are long-time residents and workers on the African continent. “The PAP’s mission is to safeguard the human rights of all African citizens. We are therefore respectfully seeking their assistance in securing the release of these two innocent men who are being unlawfully held in Equatorial Guinea,” said Shaun Murphy, spokesperson for the Potgieter family.
Potgieter and Huxham were arrested on what the families claim are baseless drug charges. They were set to return to South Africa after completing a work assignment for a global oil and gas company. The families assert that drugs were allegedly discovered in their luggage, but when their luggage was retrieved by their employers, it was still locked and unopened.
The families suspect that their detention may be linked to the recent seizure of a luxury yacht and properties belonging to Equatorial Guinea Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue by South African authorities.
