Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, have returned home after spending over two years in jail in Equatorial Guinea on “arbitrary and illegal” drugs charges.
The men were arrested in February 2023 after drugs were allegedly found in their luggage and were sentenced to 12 years in prison, fined $5 million each, and ordered to pay damages.
Their families and the South African government launched a long campaign for their release, which included diplomatic efforts and international advocacy.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called for their release, stating that their detention was unlawful.
Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo granted the pair a presidential pardon on June 7, allowing them to return home.
The South African government welcomed their release, expressing gratitude to the Equatorial Guinean government for the pardon.
The engineers’ families expressed relief and joy at their loved ones’ return, thanking everyone who contributed to their release, including their employer SBM Offshore, the South African and UK governments, and international diplomatic partners.
Their arrest was reportedly linked to the seizure of luxury assets belonging to Equatorial Guinea’s Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue in South Africa, which may have been a factor in their prolonged detention.
