In a dramatic response to viral “sex tapes” involving Equatorial Guinean civil servant Baltasar Engonga, Vice President Teodoro Mangue has vowed to impose “severe measures” against any government official engaging in sexual activities at work. The scandal erupted after explicit videos surfaced online, showing Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), in intimate scenes with various women, including the wives of high-ranking officials.
On Monday, Mangue took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the immediate suspension of any officials caught engaging in inappropriate activities at government offices. “Today, we go proceed wit di immediate suspension of all officials wey dey engage in sexual relations in di offices of di kontri ministries,” he wrote, highlighting that such actions breach the code of conduct and public ethics laws. He also ordered regulators and internet providers to restrict the spread of the tapes, aiming to prevent further reputational damage to the administration.
This crackdown comes after over 400 explicit videos were reportedly uncovered during a fraud investigation into Engonga, who is also under scrutiny for graft charges. The footage, allegedly consensual and filmed in his office and other locations, involved not only private individuals but also relatives of top officials, including the wife of the police director general and the sister of the president.
The country’s attorney general clarified that, although the encounters were consensual, Engonga could face charges for “public health crimes” if he is found to have an undisclosed sexually transmitted infection. Engonga, 54, is a prominent figure, leading anti-corruption efforts in his role with ANIF and is also the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjoo, President of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).
In his public address, Vice President Mangue underscored a zero-tolerance stance on misconduct in government offices. “Given the abuse that has been shown on social media in Equatorial Guinea in recent days, and remembering that ministries are solely and exclusively for carrying out administrative work in support of the country’s development, sexual relations in offices are prohibited,” Mangue warned.
He continued, “Control mechanisms are already in place, and anyone who violates this rule again will be subject to disciplinary proceedings for indecent conduct and will be dismissed from their job.” Mangue’s statement echoes the administration’s push for professionalism and integrity in public service, framing the crackdown as essential for maintaining public trust in government operations.
The scandal has sparked widespread outrage within the country, with calls for stricter accountability and governance standards across government institutions. The Vice President’s intervention sends a clear message that the government will not tolerate unethical behaviour that compromises the nation’s image and undermines the ethical foundation of its public offices.
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