Soft spoken Melanie Janse van Rensburg has been awaiting the safe return of her aviation consultant husband after he was first detained by the authorities in this oil-rich African country on 24 September.
"Danny had been working on a contract to lease an aircraft to EG Senator Angabi since March 2012 already," she said. "A contract between Danny and Equatorial Guinea Senator Gabriel Mba Bela Angabi had been signed in which Danny was to broker an aircraft for rent to Angabi for his airline, Corisair." EG is widely regarded as one of the most corrupt, oppressive and anti-democratic states in the world.
From friend to foe
Melanie says when Danny went to finalise the contract in September, Angabi suddenly changed his mind " He demanded that Danny pay back all the money he had already received." She explained that Daniel had flown to EG mid-September to get the last guarantee in place and to find accommodation for the crew. "Angabi was friendly towards Danny for the first three weeks after his arrival and then called him to his office where he suddenly said that he didn't want the plane anymore and wanted his money back. It was as if a switch had been flipped and Angabi was suddenly a different man," explained a confused Melanie.
Danny was unable to repay Angabi the approximately $200 000 and was instantly arrested and thrown into a police holding cell and later charged with theft." According to Melanie, Danny had tried to get help from the South African Embassy, but "because they didn't know if he was a guilty or not, they couldn't help".
Not guilty
With the help of a local EG attorney, Danny's case was later struck off the role by the presiding judge. "The judge told Danny that he would prepare a letter in which Danny's name would be taken off the no-flight list and he was free to go. Every time Danny went back for the letter it was not ready."
According to Melanie, Angabi threatened Danny's life and he fled to the South African Embassy in EG, who took him in. Danny was housed by a member of the embassy staff and he was placed under house arrest while they sorted out the paper work.
The judge finally handed the much awaited letter to the SA embassy and arrangements were made to fly Danny back to SA in time to spend Christmas with his family. Danny was accompanied by members of the embassy to the airport who stayed with him until he was seated on the plane. "They were still on the plane when the EG police ran onto the aircraft and once again arrested him. They had no documents for his arrest. No explanation why he was being arrested. They just took him off the plane."
Love from Black Beach
This time Danny was not placed in a holding cell but thrown into the notorious Black Beach Prison.
On Tuesday afternoon while stroking Danny's dog, Bubbles, she reads an e-mail she received that morning: "Hello Fluffy Loop, remember that I love you as much as all the stars above. God is in control. All my love and God's Blessings, Daniel." Melanie explains that her first reaction after reading the message was that Danny must have been released from Black Beach. "First I wondered how he had internet access in that horrible prison and then thought that he might have been released." After her initial thoughts Melanie's world came tumbling down again when she realised that one of the embassy staff must have smuggled the note out of prison. "Fluffy Loop is a nickname that only he uses for me, so I know that the message came from him. As he said 'God is in control' all I need to do is wait. Patience is not a strong point of mine," she said.
"I don't often understand the broken English of the embassy staff so my mother-in-law (Martha) talks to them and then tells me what's going on." At time of going to print Martha had not yet replied to several messages requesting an interview, but had been reported as saying that they were desperately trying to get assistance from the Department of International Affairs, but to no avail.
Former trouble
This is not the first time that Danny has been in trouble in EG. During 2005 Danny was arrested along with six others after a failed attempt to overthrow the EG president Teodoro Obiang Nguema. He was later acquitted of all charges when it was proved that he had no association with the coup plotters.
In the meantime, Melanie worries how she is going to pay the university fees of their two children, aged 22 and 20. "They both drove back to Stellenbosch today (Tuesday). My son (22) is in his fourth year studying Computer Science and my daughter is in her third year of her LLB degree." Although Melanie has a part-time job as bookkeeper, she struggles to support herself and her children. "Danny has obviously not been able to earn an income for the past four months and I pray every day for God's grace."
Sweet man
While interviewed by the George Herald, two of Danny's best friends, Tammy Lawless and Torsten Juling (who had flown in from Spain), were offering their support to Melanie. "You've got to meet this guy. He is the sweetest, kindest man. He will do anything for anybody," is how Lawless describes Danny. "Why would he go to EG if he stole money from Angabi?" she questioned and added, "It makes no sense at all. How the hell has this guy (Angabi) got the power to block a flight and throw an innocent man into the worst prison!"
"Although he (Angabi) has not said it in so many words, he is basically holding Danny hostage until he gets paid the money that he is not even entitled to. It is Angabi that is in breach of contract; not Danny," said Lawless.
Melanie says she met Danny in Namibia when she was just 16 years old. "We have been married for 24 years and have lived in the Wilderness and Hoekwil area for the last 20 years. I miss him so much, not only is he my husband but also my best friend."
Party trick
It is not the first time that individuals involved in aviation have been held in EG for alleged contract irregularities. During 2005 Global Aviation Leasing (GAL) had signed a deal with Air Quarius to provide a DC-9 aircraft and crew six weeks prior. Air Quarius had then sub-contracted Venetto Trading and Getra. According to GAL's CEO, Daniel Rosenzweig, a Venatto representative physically removed two South African air hostesses, Sechan Pillay and Ruwayda Kalbine, from the aircraft when it was due to leave EG, seizing the crew's passports.
They were allegedly held to ensure that the contract be completed. The amount in dispute was $285 000. The crew members were released 35 days later after the South African Department of Foreign Affairs as well as Amnesty International stepped in. Danny and Rosenzweigh were Getra's representatives in EG during the time.
From left: Torsten Juling, Melanie Janse van Rensburg and Tammy Lawless. Photo: Fran Kirsten
Melanie Janse van Rensburg and Danny's dog Bubbles.
ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN
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