Superyacht released, Georgian still detained in Black Beach

Update

GEORGE NEWS - It would seem that Daniel Janse van Rensburg's wish to put his Black Beach ordeal behind him, is not being granted just yet.

The multimillion rand superyacht belonging to the vice-president of Equatorial Guinea (EG), that was seized by the Sheriff of the Court two weeks ago in the Cape Town harbour to honour a court order involving a R40m payout to Janse van Rensburg, a Hoekwil businessman, has been released.

EG Vice-president Teodorin Nguema Obiang threatened to confiscate South African assets and close EG air- and maritime space for SA boats or planes entering and exiting the country if the yacht, Blue Shadow, is not released.

The vessel was seized to be sold at a public auction to pay damages to Janse van Rensburg after the latter was imprisoned illegally in the notorious Black Beach Prison for 491 days from 2013 to 2015.

Janse van Rensburg had set up an airline in EG with the president's brother-in-law, Gabriel Mba Angabi, who withdrew from the venture at the last minute and demanded a financial refund. The dispute led to Janse van Rensburg's illegal incarceration in a prison described as the worst in the world.

EG's playboy vice-president enjoying a ride on his jetski.

Outspoken on Twitter

On Monday 20 February Obiang boasted on Twitter that his yacht had been released. "24 hours after our powerful measures against South Africa was announced, the Ministry of Defence's ship that the Cape Town racists were holding to cheat me out of 2 million dollars, has already been released. Guinea does not negotiate with the putschists," he tweeted.

Obiang also lashed out against Janse van Rensburg and his "white slave-owning lawyers from Cape Town" on Twitter.

One of the outrageous tweets Obiang posted this week.

Superyacht a 'military asset'

According to a statement by Janse van Rensburg, Obiang petitioned the Sheriff of the Court seeking the immediate release of the superyacht, stating that the vessel was a military asset belonging to the Equatorial Guinea Defence Force and threatening to act with "reciprocity" against South Africa in EG.

"The superyacht was seized in relation to my ongoing legal dispute with the vice-president regarding the outstanding payment of damages awarded to me following a lengthy court battle related to my false imprisonment at Black Beach prison between 2013 and 2015," he said.

The superyacht, which is now sailing under the flag of the Cayman Islands, was subsequently released at 01:00 on Tuesday 21 February but remains in port taking aboard fuel and supplies in readiness for its departure.

Obiang recently boasted on Twitter about the release of the Blue Shadow.

Two more South Africans detained in Black Beach

In the midst of the seemingly endless legal battle between Janse van Rensburg and the Equatorial Guinean playboy, two SA men were arrested in EG, also on allegedly trumped-up charges, on Thursday 9 February.

Frederic Potgieter (53) from George and Peter Huxham (55) from Langebaan were arrested at the Anda China Malabo hotel while they were stopping over in EG to catch a flight back home the next day. They are also being detained in Black Beach prison.

Police arrested them on a complaint believed to be related to a shipment of cocaine found on an international flight. The drugs were apparently discovered on the plane the men arrived on from Singapore on 4 January.

At this stage it is unclear whether the men have been formally charged with any criminal offence as the families are unable to get into contact with their loved ones. Both men were employed by a Dutch oil and gas company at the time of their arrest.

A screenshot taken from a video clip of an international news broadcast with Huxham (left) and Potgieter after their arrest.

Families are keeping the faith

According to a spokesperson for the Potgieter family, no official charges have been laid against the men, but they are being detained for alleged drug trafficking and the use thereof.

"We firmly believe their innocence will be proven and are focused on their safe return. Currently we are working through the representatives of their company with the authorities in EG and the SA Embassy to ensure Frik and Peter receive fair treatment in line with international standards," he said.

"Because of the sensitivity of the case, however, it could be severely detrimental to discuss any finer details at this time. As the families we would like to thank the media for their ongoing support during this trying time. We understand the important role that the media plays and the positive impact you can have."

SA Embassy staff apparently visited Frik and Peter at the police station on the Saturday after their arrest and said they did not complain about treatment, access and medication or food.

Frederic Potgieter

Speak to someone in the know

Janse van Rensburg is in contact with Potgieter and Huxham's families.

"I have been in touch with the families of the men who have been detained. As I am aware of how important it is to have contact with the outside world, I reached out to friends in Malabo to see if they could get in to visit the men and bring news back to their families.

"It has been traumatic for Melanie and me to relive the nightmare of my time in Black Beach, knowing that these two families will be suffering as we did. Fortunately their employers have appointed an internationally recognised legal firm to represent them, so our thoughts and prayers are with Peter, Frik and their families and we trust that their nightmare will end and they will soon be reunited back home in South Africa," Janse van Rensburg said.

In one of his tweets, Obiang claimed not to know Janse van Rensburg and threatened SA with diplomatic consequences should the Blue Shadow not be released.