GEORGE NEWS - The families of the two South African men imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea, Frik Potgieter from George and Peter Huxham from Langebaan, have reached a significant milestone as 15 000 people have signed a petition demanding their release.
The petition will be formally handed over to Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola, as well as the speaker of Parliament, Thokozile Didiza, and the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo.
The families believe that the growing public support increases the urgency of diplomatic intervention to bring the men home.
"The overwhelming support for this petition sends a clear message: South Africans and the international community refuse to accept the continued imprisonment of Frik and Peter," say Shaun Murphy and Francois Nigrini, spokespersons for the families.
Potgieter and Huxham were arrested on 9 February 2023 in Equatorial Guinea. Despite a July 2024 ruling from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declaring their imprisonment both unlawful and arbitrary, and calling for their immediate release, the men remain behind bars. Furthermore, in October 2024, the SA Parliament unanimously passed a motion calling for urgent diplomatic intervention and action from the SA Government.
The families have long urged the South African and UK governments to do more to secure their release. The petition strengthens this demand and will be delivered with the expectation of concrete action.
Both men are suffering mental and physical health issues due to dire prison conditions, and their families have had only six calls with Potgieter and eight calls with Huxham since their arrests.
Peter Huxham and the love of his life, Kathy McConnachie, in happier days.
The families continue to call on South Africans, British citizens, civil society, and the international community to support their cause. The petition remains open, and they encourage more people worldwide to sign and share it widely.
Previous articles:
- Engineers detained in Equatorial Guinea: Government urged to help
- SA Engineers in Equatorial Guinea to appeal their shocking sentence
- SA-ingenieurs kry 12 jaar tronkstraf en moet R141-miljoen opdok
- Georgian and man from Langebaan detained in Black Beach Prison
- Families launch online campaign to free SA engineers from Equatorial Guinea
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