The Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, Teddy Nguema, has announced an extensive plan to install surveillance cameras in all state offices to mitigate misconduct and ensure strict adherence to public service laws.
The initiative, disclosed via an X post on Tuesday, marks a significant push toward greater transparency and accountability within the country’s public sector.
“We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behavior,” the post read.
This follows a high-profile scandal involving the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency, Baltasar Engonga, who was recently arrested.
Engonga, a 54-year-old economist, faces allegations of creating and storing over 400 s*x tapes involving the spouses of prominent figures in Equatorial Guinea. The tapes were reportedly discovered during a surprise search as part of a fraud investigation.
Authorities say the new surveillance initiative is designed to deter similar behaviour and maintain the ethical standards expected from public officials.
The administration has made it clear that any official found in violation will face severe consequences. “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 Vice President stated.
While some public sector employees see the CCTV policy as a necessary reform to prevent further scandals, others have expressed concerns about potential privacy infringements.
Human rights advocates have also questioned the balance between oversight and employee rights, highlighting that clear regulations are needed.
The government has yet to announce the full timeline for the rollout and the precise extent of the surveillance. However, officials have assured the public that the initiative complies with existing legal frameworks to strengthen governance and safeguard public resources.
The VP noted that installing 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.
He said, “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.”