The public dispute between Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustafa and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Leader Azruddin Mohamed intensified after media reports of Mustafa’s denial of corruption allegations triggered fresh exchanges on social media and renewed public scrutiny of the minister’s wealth.
Following publication of the story, Mohamed, posting under Team Mohamed’s, commented on the social media pages of INews and the Guyana Chronicle, daring the minister to “show us how you get the billions to build all those houses with pools and custom finishes.” The post was later removed from the Guyana Chronicle’s social media page, though it continued to circulate widely online.
Mustafa has maintained that his Bloomfield, Berbice mansion was financed through a mortgage from Demerara Bank and personal savings accumulated over a 35-year career in public service, including years as a parliamentarian and more than five years as a government minister. However, his assertion has fueled further debate rather than settled questions.
On social media, several Guyanese have attempted to calculate whether such a property is financially plausible on a ministerial salary. One commentator estimated that a G$200 million mortgage at five percent interest, with a G$10 million down payment over a 15-year term, would require monthly payments of approximately G$1.5 million. That figure exceeds the estimated monthly salary of about G$1.2 million cited by Mohamed, prompting renewed skepticism and online discussion.
Mohamed had previously highlighted what he described as a stark transformation over four years, contrasting what he said was Mustafa’s former “simple wooden house” with a sprawling residence featuring a swimming pool, luxury finishes and custom designs. In a video filmed in front of the property, Mohamed said such a lifestyle shows “This is what corruption under the PPP looks like.”
Mustafa has rejected the allegations as “completely untrue, fallacious, and devoid of merit,” and has also defended his son, Javed Mustapha, against claims of misconduct. The minister has accused Mohamed of pursuing personal attacks and has instructed his lawyers to review the statements for possible legal action, while insisting he will not engage in a “tit for tat.”
The unfolding exchange has heightened public attention on issues of asset disclosure, political accountability and perceived disparities in infrastructure development, with many observers noting that in matters of public trust, “a picture tells a thousand words.”
