South Africa – Free Frik and Peter, January 21, 2025
Statement from the families of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham
Johannesburg, 21 January 2025 – The families of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham express their appreciation for Minister Ronald Lamola’s recent visit to Equatorial Guinea, where he met with his counterpart, Mr. Simeón Oyono Esono Angue, Minister of Foreign Affairs,
International Cooperation, and Francophone Affairs. Minister Lamola, serving as a special envoy for President Cyril Ramaphosa, said in a statement following the visit that he raised the need to resolve the challenge of the ongoing detention of Frik and Peter, who have been held in Equatorial Guinea since 9 February, 2023.
Shaun Murphy and Francois Nigrini, spokespersons for the Potgieter and Huxham families, expressed renewed hope following this diplomatic engagement: “This visit brings a glimmer of hope to our families, who have endured the prolonged and unjust detention of Frik and Peter for far too long. These two engineers have dedicated years to Equatorial Guinea’s oil and gas sector, and to mentoring young Equatorial Guinean workers.
