The families of the two South African engineers who have been imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea for more than 600 days say they are deeply grateful to Parliament for calling for their release. This comes after Parliament on Tuesday passed a motion for Frederik Potgieter and Peter Huxham’s immediate release. The motion without notice was tabled by Democratic Alliance Member of Parliament Emma Powell and adopted unanimously by all political parties without any objections.
‘SA’s commitment to international law’ The house condemned the “ongoing unlawful imprisonment of Potgieter and Huxham, in Equatorial Guinea since 9 February 2023; It noted the formal opinion of the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued on 1 July 2024 which concluded that Potgieter and Huxham’s arrest and ongoing detention in Equatorial Guinea is “arbitrary, illegal and a gross violation of human rights, and that they should be released immediately.” “The motion reaffirms South Africa’s commitment to international law and human rights and supports efforts to ensure accountability for actions that violate these principles, stands in support of the families of Mr Potgieter and Mr Huxham, who are suffering because of their loved ones’ illegal detention and calls on the South African authorities to facilitate for the immediate release of Mr Potgieter and Mr Huxham.” ALSO READ: Families of SA engineers jailed in Equatorial Guinea turn to Parliament Parliament endorseme.