The families of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, the two South African engineers who have been illegally imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea since February 9, 2023, say they are "deeply grateful" to the South African Parliament, which on October 22 adopted a unanimous motion calling for the engineers' immediate release.

The two South Africans were arrested in what the families say is retaliation for the seizure by South African courts of superyachts and properties belonging to Equatorial Guinea VP Teodore Nguema Obiang Mangue, who is also the President's son.

Emma Powell of the Democratic Alliance tabled a motion in Parliament. It was adopted unanimously.

It includes that the House condemns the ongoing unlawful imprisonment of Potgieter and Huxham; notes the formal opinion of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued on July 1 this year, which concluded that the men's arrest and ongoing detention in Equatorial Guinea is arbitrary, illegal and a gross violation of human rights, and that they should be released immediately; reaffirms South Africa’s commitment to international law and human rights and supports efforts to ensure accountability for actions that violate these principles; stands in support of the families of Potgieter and Huxham; and calls on the South African authorities to facilitate the immediate release of the two engineers.

“The South African Parliament has effectively endorsed the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s formal opinion, issued in July this year, which concluded that Peter and Frik’s arrests and ongoing detention are arbitrary and illegal, and called for their immediate release. 

"The imprisonment of these two innocent men by the Government of Equatorial Guinea is a direct violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to liberty and security of person, as enshrined in international law,” says Shaun Murphy on behalf of the Potgieter family.

“The outpouring of support for Frik and Peter’s release has been nothing short of extraordinary, from both the South African public and the international community. Nearly 15 000 signatories from around the globe have added their voices to the FreeFrikandPeter.co.za petition, calling for immediate justice.

"This groundswell of support should be a clear signal to our Government to do whatever it takes to secure their immediate release and prioritise their case. Frik and Peter were innocent victims of being the wrong nationality, at the wrong place, at the wrong time. This kind of hostage diplomacy is a gross injustice and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” adds Francois Nigrini, speaking on behalf of the Huxham family.