YAOUNDÉ : Sino Market at the centre of an alleged violence scandal
(LVDE) – In Yaoundé, the Sino Market supermarket, located in the Elig-Edzoa district, has become the focus of a national controversy following the circulation, in early May 2026, of images showing alleged acts of violence against an employee. The footage, widely shared on social media, triggered a swift response from administrative and security authorities, leading to several arrests and the temporary closure of the establishment.
Esther Grâce 
Sino Market supermarket in Elig-Edzoa
The short but highly impactful video shows an employee being restrained in a service area of the store, subjected to physical force by an individual identified as a security guard, while other people witness the scene. The raw nature of the footage, released without immediate contextual verification, sparked widespread public outrage online and reignited concerns over working conditions in certain commercial establishments operating in Cameroon.
Within hours of its circulation, security services from the Yaoundé I administrative division launched a field investigation. Initial checks traced the incident to Sino Market, a retail complex specializing in imported goods and heavily frequented in this strategic area of the capital. According to authorities, several individuals were arrested, including a store manager and an on-site interpreter. Three other foreign nationals were reportedly identified as having filmed the scene.
The victim, an employee of the store, was taken into care, while the exact motivations behind the alleged acts remain under investigation. Investigators are exploring several leads, including an internal disciplinary dispute, although no official conclusions have yet been released. The uncertainty surrounding the chain of responsibility has intensified media scrutiny and public pressure around the case.
In response, administrative authorities adopted a precautionary measure. On 5 May 2026, the Divisional Officer of Yaoundé I ordered the temporary closure of Sino Market, citing risks of public disorder. According to official documents, the decision also followed a request from the store’s management, which feared potential retaliatory acts and vandalism. Security forces were deployed around the premises to prevent any escalation of tensions.
At government level, the Ministry of Labour announced the opening of a comprehensive investigation, describing the reported incidents as a potential serious violation of workers’ dignity. The case comes amid growing public debate in Cameroon on labour standards and employee protection in the workplace.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), a significant proportion of workers in Sub-Saharan Africa still operate in environments with limited regulatory oversight, where enforcement mechanisms and access to remedies remain weak. This structural context gives the Sino Market case a broader significance beyond its immediate legal and commercial dimensions.
A popular retail outlet known for its competitive pricing and wide range of imported goods, Sino Market now finds itself at the centre of a crisis combining legal scrutiny, public perception, and labour governance issues. Beyond the alleged facts, the challenge for both authorities and economic actors lies in establishing accountability, restoring public trust, and clarifying workplace standards in a rapidly expanding sector.
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Tressy CHOUENTE 
Raphael Mforlem 
