Yaounde: Minister orders probe into torture of supermarket staff.

The footage, which surfaced on May 2, showed a young employee, Ombe Boya Arnaud LaPatience, being violently beaten by a security guard at the super market known as Sino Mart. 

The images, widely shared across social media platforms, had triggered widespread condemnation and renewed scrutiny over labour conditions. 

In a statement Monday May 4, Minister Gregoire Owona expressed deep indignation and described the acts as unacceptable and grave. He stressed that such behaviour constitutes a blatant violation of workers’ fundamental rights.

The member of government said it particularly touched on the dignity, physical and moral integrity of workers as protected under Cameroonian law and international labour conventions ratified by the State.

“No employer, under any pretext whatsoever, may take the law into their hands or resort to inhumane, degrading, or humiliating treatment,” the minister warned. He reaffirmed government’s zero-tolerance stance on workplace abuse.

He disclosed that firm instructions have been issued to the competent services of the ministry, including the Labour Inspectorate, to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter.

The objective, he noted, is to establish responsibilities and ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable in accordance with the law.

According to reports, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Sino Mart, Yan Min, along with his interpreter, Lizina Tairama, have been arrested in connection to the incident. 

Investigations are said to have been ongoing to identify all individuals involved in the torture. The minister has also called on employers nationwide to strictly adhere to decent work standards and urged workers to report any form of abuse.

He reassured the public that the government remains firmly committed to safeguarding workers’ rights and promoting a professional environment grounded in respect for human dignity.

Similarly, a group of disgruntled individuals are said to have stormed the said super market yesterday destroying items in the shop.  Forces of law and order are said to have intervened to calm the situation.

Minister Owona and his collaborators are said to have visited the incident scene to get more information.

Addressing a staff at the super market, he expressed regret over the lack of an elected staff representative even after his ministry had insisted that such should be done.

He tasked the staff leader to ensure there is serenity in the workplace and ensure the respect of country’s law. The Minister restated that while there is need for calm, findings on the incident remain on course. He charged the staff leader to inform his hierarchy that he is being awaited at a ministry for a meeting with officials.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3782 of Thursday May 07, 2026