South African Engineers Released from Equatorial Guinea After Unlawful Detention

Sun Dec 14 2025 02:34:08 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Two South African engineers, Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, have returned home following a lengthy two-year incarceration in Equatorial Guinea over contested drug charges deemed arbitrary by the UN.

Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham's ordeal began in February 2023 when they were arrested for allegedly carrying drugs in their luggage. Initially sentenced to 12 years in prison with hefty fines, they received a presidential pardon after a sustained campaign led by their families and the South African government. Their arrest occurred shortly after South African authorities seized luxury property linked to the Vice-President of Equatorial Guinea, which is believed to have contributed to their arrests as retaliation. The families expressed deep relief at the return of the engineers, labeling the two years of imprisonment as torturous. The South African Foreign Minister thanked Equatorial Guinea for granting the pardon, while the UN previously called for their release, citing their detention as unlawful.

Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, both in their mid-50s, have faced a turbulent two years but are finally back in South Africa to reunite with their loved ones.

South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola expressed gratitude to Equatorial Guinea for the presidential pardon, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy in resolving the issue. Family members have been steadfast in their campaign for the engineers' release, especially after claims arose that their arrests were in direct response to the seizure of high-value assets belonging to the Equatorial Guinea Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang. The United Nations has referred to their detention as arbitrary, advocating for their immediate release. As the engineers are welcomed back home, the focus shifts to the ongoing diplomatic relations between the two nations regarding legal disputes over seized properties.

Both engineers were employed by the Dutch oil and gas company SBM when their arrests occurred, grounding them in Equatorial Guinea just before they were expected to leave after a work assignment. Their families had sought assistance not only from South Africa but also the UK government, given Huxham's dual nationality. While their release marks a significant relief for their families, it highlights the complex interplay of diplomatic relations and human rights considerations in Africa.