The South African Parliament has unanimously called for the release of Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter, businessmen imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea. This support comes after a UN declaration that deemed their detention as arbitrary and illegal. The motion, tabled by Emma Powell of the Democratic Alliance, condemns their arrests and urges the government to act for their release amid ongoing support from the public and international community. The two men were sentenced for alleged drug smuggling connected to broader legal issues involving Equatorial Guinea’s vice-president.
The South African Parliament has unanimously supported the plea for the release of two businessmen, Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter, currently imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea. This endorsement follows a declaration by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which deemed their arrests as unjust and illegal. Huxham and Potgieter, who have been in custody since February of last year, are embroiled in a legal dispute linked to assets owned by Equatorial Guinea’s vice-president, Teodoro “Teddy” Nguema Obiang Mangue. The parliamentary motion condemns their detention and urges the South African government to act towards their liberation. Family spokespeople highlighted the significance of the motion, reinforcing the call for action and expressing appreciation for the extensive public and international support gathered through petitions. Huxham and Potgieter face a 12-year prison sentence for alleged drug smuggling, which is said to be related to activities beyond their control. Their arrest occurred following the detention of a luxurious superyacht associated with Obiang in Cape Town, alongside the seizure of his properties pending ongoing legal proceedings. The motion was presented by Emma Powell of the Democratic Alliance.
The case involves two South African engineers, Peter Huxham and Frik Potgieter, who were sentenced to 12 years in prison in Equatorial Guinea under dubious circumstances, with claims suggesting their arrest was tied to a broader legal conflict involving the vice-president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro ‘Teddy’ Nguema Obiang Mangue. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has previously asserted that their imprisonment is arbitrary, urging for their immediate release. This situation highlights concerns regarding human rights and the legality of their detention amid allegations involving political maneuvering and asset disputes related to Obiang’s properties in South Africa. There has been significant public support documented through a petition, calling for the South African government to intervene and prioritize the men’s case due to the perceived injustice of their detention.
In conclusion, the South African Parliament’s unanimous decision to advocate for the release of Huxham and Potgieter signifies a strong stance against arbitrary detention and a commitment to human rights. This motion reflects the broader support from the public and holds significant implications for the diplomatic relations between South Africa and Equatorial Guinea. As the families of the imprisoned men continue to seek justice, the motion serves as a reminder of the importance of international law and human rights considerations in addressing such cases.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
