The families of the two South African engineers who have been imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea for more than 630 days say they are fearing for their wellbeing. The families staged a peaceful protest outside Africa Energy Week (AEW) at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Tuesday. Frik Potgieter, a South African citizen, and Peter Huxham, a dual South African and United Kingdom citizen, have been in jail following what their families describe as trumped-up drug charges.
The duo were arrested in February last year in retaliation after South African courts ordered the seizure of a yacht and two luxury villas in Cape Town belonging to Equatorial Guinea Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue. 21 months of imprisonment With government officials from Equatorial Guinea in attendance at the conference, the families have appealed for clemency and the release of the two men, who have been held for almost 21 months. The families said the 21 months of imprisonment had taken its toll on the health and mental well-being of Potgieter and Huxham.
“Both men, who suffer from chronic conditions, have lost significant weight, and the mental anguish of their unlawful detention has led to the prison authorities calling for urgent medical intervention.” ALSO READ: Parliament calls for release of SA engineers jailed in Equatorial Guinea for more than 600 days ‘Show compassion and grant them clemency’ Huxham’s life partner, Kathy McConnachie, said the men have already endured.