South African Engineers Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham Freed from Custody in Equatorial Guinea
Pretoria – Engineers Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, who had been held in Equatorial Guinea since February 2023, have finally been released.
The South African government expressed its relief in a statement issued on Saturday, 21 June 2025, highlighting that this positive outcome came after “the President of Equatorial Guinea granted clemency.”
The two South Africans were arrested on 9 February 2023 on drug trafficking charges and were sentenced to 12 years.
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The statement read: “South Africa extends its heartfelt appreciation to the government of Equatorial Guinea for their empathy and the eventual granting of this Presidential pardon, enabling Mr. Huxham and Mr. Potgieter to reunite with their families.”
“Since their detention, the South African government has been persistently engaged through diplomatic means, dispatching Special Envoys to advocate for their humanitarian release.
“In these discussions, the government earnestly pursued leniency, highlighting humanitarian concerns and the emotional impacts on the families of the detained.”
The families of Frik and Peter believed that the engineers find themselves entangled in the political friction between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea.
While employed by a global oil and gas firm in Equatorial Guinea, they were arrested on dubious drug charges just days after South Africa seized a luxury yacht owned by Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue (referred to as Teddy).
Moreover, South Africa also confiscated two of Teddy’s lavish villas located in Cape Town.
These properties were seized following a court decision in South Africa regarding an unrelated matter, separate from the cases of Frik and Peter.
“The collaboration between the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the families of the two engineers, and their employer, SBM Offshore, was crucial in achieving their release,” stated the late-night announcement.
“The South African government acknowledges the complexities of this case, including its delicate diplomatic and legal ramifications.”
The statement also underscored the ongoing consular assistance provided by the government of Equatorial Guinea and the fruitful diplomatic conversations maintained throughout this challenging period.
It concluded by reaffirming South Africa’s dedication to enhancing bilateral ties with Equatorial Guinea and its commitment to fostering dialogue, mutual respect, and resolving challenges through diplomatic avenues.
