A newly launched investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (PGR) into the payment of salaries to the First Lady and the leak of confidential data has sparked debates over legal ethics and institutional accountability in Cape Verde.
Legal expert and university professor Eledilson Gonçalves expressed concerns about the use of unlawfully obtained evidence, stating, “Justice has its own pathways to uncovering material truth, but not everything can be justified.”
The PGR’s announcement followed a financial audit report on the Presidency covering January 2021 to January 2024.
It revealed irregularities, including the disclosure of sensitive data belonging to Débora Katiza, the First Lady, via social and traditional media, attributed to an IT security breach.
Allegations of Misconduct
The audit raised questions about possible misconduct, including abuse of power, embezzlement, and illicit financial gains, as outlined in the Penal Code.
Investigations are also underway into an unnamed Presidential Office employee accused of violating data protection laws.
The case, completed in November 2024, has led to formal charges. All implicated parties have been notified, and the judicial process is ongoing.
The controversy gained public attention in December 2023 after leaked information suggested that Débora Carvalho received a monthly salary of 310,606 escudos.
This sum matched her previous earnings at CV-Móvel before assuming her role as First Lady.
Debate Over Whistleblower Protections
Gonçalves highlighted the ethical dilemma of punishing whistleblowers who expose misconduct through unlawful means, saying, “How can we accept that someone revealing a crime becomes criminalized for doing so?”
He advocated for legal frameworks to protect whistleblowers, citing models like Portugal’s Whistleblower Statute, to ensure their safety while holding institutions accountable.
“Such laws would not only safeguard whistleblowers but also strengthen efforts to combat institutional and corporate crime by offering legal security for reporting wrongdoing without fear of retaliation,” he added.
First Lady’s Salary Under Scrutiny
The Presidency initially defended the payments to Carvalho, explaining that she had taken a special leave from her previous employment to focus exclusively on her duties as First Lady.
However, audits by the General Finance Inspectorate (IGF) and the Court of Auditors deemed the payments irregular and ordered reimbursement of the funds.
The Presidency argued the process was conducted in good faith and proposed legislation in 2022 to formalize the administrative status of the First Lady.
However, the proposal has yet to progress.
President José Maria Neves reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, announcing that the disputed funds had been reimbursed to the state even before a final court ruling.
Broader Implications
The controversy has ignited political debates, with opposition parties calling for stricter oversight of public resources.
The case underscores the growing demand for legal and institutional reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in Cabo Verde’s governance.
