Equatorial Guinea has launched a crackdown on government officials involved in sexual misconduct within ministry offices, starting with the arrest of Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency.
Engonga faces allegations of recording over 400 explicit videos featuring the wives of high-profile figures in the country.
The scandal unfolded during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, leading authorities to conduct a surprise search of his residence and office. Officials reportedly discovered multiple recordings, including encounters with notable individuals, such as the President’s sister, the Director General of Police’s wife, and spouses of various ministers.
In response to the scandal, Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President Nguema Mangue emphasized a “zero tolerance” policy on misconduct within public offices, ordering the suspension of any officials involved in such acts. He reiterated that integrity and professionalism are foundational to the public service, stating that actions undermining these values will be met with severe consequences.
Hoy vamos a procéder a la suspensión inmediata de todos los funcionarios que han tenido relaciones sexuales en las oficinas de los ministerios del país. El Gobierno tomará medidas severas ante estos actos, puesto que constituye una violación flagrante del Código de Conducta y la…
— teddy nguema (@teonguema) November 4, 2024
Equatorial Guinea’s GENERAL REGULATION ON LABOUR
Article 34.- Prohibitions for the Employer and their Representatives
Every employer and its representatives are prohibited from the following actions:
a) Deducting, withholding, or offsetting any part of workers’ salaries or cash benefits, except in ways and within limits established by law.
b) Demanding or accepting money or other considerations from workers as a condition for employment or for any other work-related reason.
c) Requiring or encouraging workers to buy consumer goods from specific shops or locations.
d) Influencing the political, religious, or trade union beliefs of workers.
e) Charging interest to workers on any salary advances or anticipated payments.
f) Forcing workers, through coercion or other means, to leave the trade union or association they belong to.
g) Using any form of blacklisting to prevent workers, including those who have retired or been dismissed, from finding employment.
h) Retaining tools or other personal property of the worker as indemnity, guarantee, or by any other means that does not involve a legal transfer of ownership.
i) Conducting collections or mandatory subscriptions within the workplace.
j) Managing or allowing workers to work while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, narcotics, or any other impairing substances.
k) Carrying weapons within the workplace or enclosed working areas, except with special permission granted for this purpose.
l) Performing any acts that directly or indirectly restrict workers’ rights as provided by this and other applicable laws and regulations.
m) Engaging in any form of harassment, including threats, pressure, coercion, blackmail, or any inappropriate touching of a sexual nature towards a worker of either gender, by the employer’s representative, company heads, or any hierarchical superior.
