Families of 2 South Africans detained in Equatorial Guinea hopeful of their return

CAPE TOWN- The families of two South African engineers detained in Equatorial Guinea have expressed their gratitude to everyone across the world who has supported them through this difficult time. 

Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham have been in an Equatorial Guniea prison since February 2023.

The arrests came a day before they were meant to return to South Africa from a five-week work trip. 

The families believe the pair was arrested on trumped-up drug charges - in retaliation against legal action being taken in South Africa against Equatorial Guinea's vice president.

It's understood that before the arrest of the two men - South African courts impounded the vice president's yacht and two luxury villas in Cape Town. 

READ: Families of 2 South Africans detained in Equatorial Guinea welcome SA govt's efforts to have them released

The spokesperson for both families, Shaun Murphy, said this has been tough for the families.

"Two years has been too long, it's two years that has been taken away from them for crimes that they haven't committed. These are innocent guys, and the UN Working Group has found that the detention is arbitrary. So, we need to get these innocent guys home." 

He said they've also launched an online petition to raise awareness about this case.

"We do have a website which is www.freefrikandpeter.co.za and we do have a petition that's on there as well and we don't request that you make any donations. Sign the petition, show your support, follow us on the socials as well those links are also on the website," said Murphy.