Families of SA engineers ‘thankful’ for pardon
The families of two South African engineers who were unlawfully detained in Equatorial Guinea on drug charges say they're overwhelmed with relief that they're back home.
Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter were arrested in February 2023 after authorities in that country claimed drugs were found in their luggage.
The families have, for the last two years, been fighting for their release.
Last year, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that their detention was illegal and called for their release.
After being freed on a presidential pardon, Huxham and Potgieter were united with their loved ones over the weekend.
Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled the oil-rich central African country for 45 years with an iron fist, announced the pardon on June 7.
President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the men home in a telephone call soon after their arrival, a representative said.
Family spokesperson Shaun Murphy says the last two years have been painful for both families.
" We want to sincerely thank every person and organisation who stood with us, from Frik and Peter's employer to the South African and UK governments, to the diplomats, legal teams, parliamentarians and advocacy groups who worked behind the scenes.
"We're especially grateful to Hostage International, to the media who kept their story alive, and to Minister Ronald Lamola and former minister Naledi Pandor for travelling to Equatorial Guinea on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, to the tens of thousands of people around the world who signed petitions, prayed and offered support. Thank you."
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