- 15,000 voices for justice: Families to hand over petition demanding urgent action
Pretoria, 24 February 2025 – The families of Frik Potgieter and Peter Huxham have reached a significant milestone in their fight for justice: 15,000 people have signed a petition demanding that the South African and UK governments secure the immediate release of the two wrongfully imprisoned engineers in Equatorial Guinea
The petition will be formally handed over to the Minister of International Relations, Ronald Lamola, as well as the Speaker of the South African parliament, Thokozile Didiza, and the Chair of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo.
The families believe that the growing public support underscores the urgency of diplomatic intervention to bring Frik and Peter 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. “With every signature, another voice joins us in saying: enough is enough. Two years is far too long – these innocent men must be released now.”
Frik Potgieter (a South African citizen) and Peter Huxham (a dual South African and UK citizen) 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 South African 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 Frik and Peter’s release. The petition, signed by over 15,000 supporters, strengthens this demand and will be delivered with the expectation of concrete action. The families are calling for:
- Urgent South African diplomatic engagement: The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Minister Ronald Lamola, and President Cyril Ramaphosa must prioritise this matter and actively and persistently engage Equatorial Guinea’s leadership to secure the immediate release of Frik and Peter.
- UK Government intervention: As a dual UK-South African citizen, Peter’s case also demands urgent action from the UK government. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) must apply increased and sustained pressure on Equatorial Guinea.
- Accountability from Parliament: The South African Parliament must ensure that the government follows through on the commitments made in its October 2024 resolution. Every diplomatic avenue must be urgently explored.
- Clemency from Equatorial Guinea’s President: President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has the power to show compassion. As a father and a devout Catholic, he can grant Frik and Peter clemency and put an end to this suffering. The families once again appeal directly to him for mercy.
Over the past two years, Frik and Peter’s families have endured unimaginable pain. Frik and Peter’s mental and physical health has suffered under dire prison conditions, and their families have had only six calls with Frik and eight calls with Peter since their arrests. With every passing day, their hope fades further.
“Every day that Frik and Peter remain in prison is another day stolen from them, another day of suffering for their families,” say Murphy and Nigrini. “We are running out of time. Their health, as well as the health of some of their family members, is deteriorating. We are very concerned. Their unlawful detention has also prevented our men from attending the funerals of their loved ones. In some cases, they are not even aware of these heartbreaking losses. We will therefore not stop fighting for their freedom, and we need both governments to stand up and do more.”
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. The fight for justice continues.
“Two years of injustice is two years too many. Frik and Peter have suffered enough, and so have their families. Their continued detention is not just unlawful, it is inhumane. We need action now. We need leaders who will stand up, intervene decisively, and bring them home before it is too late,” conclude Murphy and Nigrini.
#FreeFrikandPeter
- Note to Editors:
A fact sheet with full details of Frik and Peter’s case can be found on the Free Frik and Peter website. - The families launched an online petition and social media campaign to raise awareness and gather support.
Petition link: Over 15,000 signatures and counting
Website: https://www.freefrikandpeter.co.za/
Petition with 11 000 signatures
Social media: