Archive · 22 Jun 2025
South African Contractors Return After Equatorial Guinea Detention
Two South African workers, Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter, were arrested in Equatorial Guinea and accused of drug trafficking.
They were detained for over two years.
Their arrest happened around the time when South Africa seized a yacht owned by the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea.
The South African government asked for their release, and the Vice President eventually pardoned them.
The UN also stated that their imprisonment was against international human rights rules.
Two South African contractors, Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter, returned home after being detained in Equatorial Guinea for over two years.
They were arrested in February 2023 on drug-trafficking charges shortly after a South African court ordered the seizure of a yacht belonging to Equatorial Guinean Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue.
The South African government appealed for their release, citing humanitarian concerns.
The men were pardoned earlier this month by the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea.
The United Nations found their imprisonment breached international human rights standards.
- Who
- Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter.
- What
- The return of two South African contractors detained in Equatorial Guinea.
- When
- Returned home on Saturday after over two years.
- Where
- Equatorial Guinea.
- Why
- The circumstances of their arrest were linked to a South African court's seizure of a yacht belonging to Equatorial Guinea's Vice President, and they were accused of drug-trafficking.
South Africa's View
Equatorial Guinea's View
Reason for Plea
South Africa's View
Emphasized humanitarian impact and impact on the families.
Equatorial Guinea's View
Not explicitly stated in article.
- Detainees
- Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter
- Charges
- Drug-trafficking
- Detention Length
- Over two years
- Country of Detention
- Equatorial Guinea
- Action by South Africa
- Requested their release
- Outcome
- Pardoned and returned home