Teddy Nguema, the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, has announced plans to install surveillance cameras in all state body offices following viral videos of Baltasar Engonga, the country's anti corruption chief sleeping with multiple women, including wives of top government officials and close relatives.
The measure is part of an ongoing effort to ensure strict adherence to public service laws and combat misconduct among officials.
Engonga, the country’s Director General, National Financial Investigation Agency, was arrested for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes of the wives of notable people in the country.
The scandal emerged in the course of a fraud investigation against the 54-year-old Economist, which resulted in the search of his house and office on impromptu notice by ANIF officials who came across several CDs that later revealed his sexcapades with different married women.
The CCTV initiative, unveiled in an X post on Tuesday, according to him, underscored the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behaviour,” it read.
The new surveillance policy aims to deter acts that could undermine public trust and the ethical standards expected of public servants.
Authorities have made it clear that any violation caught on camera will be met with severe repercussions.
“We will not admit any fault that denigrates the integrity of our administration, and those who engage in these practices will face drastic measures,” it continued.
While the government emphasised that this step is crucial for promoting an environment of accountability, the policy has stirred varied responses from public sector employees and human rights advocates.
Some officials view it as a positive step towards reform, while others raise concerns about potential privacy implications.
The timeline for the complete rollout and the exact scope of surveillance have yet to be detailed.
However, the government has assured that the initiative aligns with existing legal frameworks aimed at strengthening governance and safeguarding public resources.
The VP noted that the installation of surveillance systems in state offices signals a resolute stand against corruption and misconduct, marking a pivotal step in fostering an atmosphere of transparency and trust within public service.
“The government will soon implement the installation of surveillance cameras in all offices of state bodies. We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behaviour. We will not admit any fault that denigrates the integrity of our administration and those who engage in these practices will face drastic measures,” the post translated from Spanish by Google Translate read.
Earlier, the VP on Monday announced that the government will immediately suspend any officials involved in sexual relations within ministry offices, as it violates the Code of Conduct and Public Ethics Law.
This decisive action, he said, reinforces a zero-tolerance policy towards behaviour that undermines public service integrity.
“Today we will proceed with the immediate suspension of all officials who have had sexual relations in the offices of the country’s ministries.
“The government will take severe measures against these acts since they constitute a flagrant violation of the Code of Conduct and the Public Ethics Law.
“This action is a decisive step in our policy of zero tolerance towards behaviours that undermine the integrity of the public service.
“Ethics and respect are fundamental in our administration, and we will not allow irresponsible behaviour to compromise public trust.
“Responsibility and professionalism must be the pillars of our work as servants of the state.”
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