Georgetown, Guyana — Fresh allegations of corruption have been leveled against Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), following a public statement by businessman and presumptive Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed that has ignited widespread debate on social media.
In a Facebook video, Mohamed drew attention to a newly constructed mansion and a large apartment complex in Providence, East Bank Demerara, which he claims belong to the 30-year-old son of Minister Mustapha. According to Mohamed, the properties occupy three prime house lots and represent wealth far beyond what could reasonably be explained by the family’s lawful income. 
Mohamed alleged that the minister’s son, identified as a medical doctor, has never practiced medicine and instead benefits from what he described as “rampant corruption” within the Ministry of Agriculture. He claimed that billions of dollars are being funneled through shell companies connected to the ministry, while farmers, fisherfolk, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector continue to face financial hardship and declining support.
The opposition figure further questioned how a public official earning less than $1.2 million per month could, within a few years of holding office, be linked to assets he described as being worth billions of dollars. He contrasted the family’s current holdings with their reported living conditions as recently as 2020, when, according to Mohamed, they resided in a modest wooden house in Bloomfield, Berbice.
In his statement, Mohamed also raised concerns about land allocation in the Providence area, alleging that squatters were previously removed to make way for developments benefiting government officials, their families, and associates. He argued that this reflects a broader pattern of unequal access to land and resources under the current administration.
“These are public servants,” Mohamed stated, asserting that while ordinary businesspeople often work for decades to accumulate assets, politically connected individuals appear to do so in a fraction of the time.
The allegations come amid ongoing public discourse about transparency and accountability in Guyana, particularly as the country experiences rapid economic growth driven by oil revenues. Mohamed also referenced the Speaker of the National Assembly’s past decision to restrict the use of the word “corruption” in parliamentary debate, suggesting it reflected growing sensitivity around the issue.
As of publication, Minister Mustapha and the PPP/C government have not publicly responded to the allegations. No official investigations or court proceedings related to the claims outlined in Mohamed’s statement have been announced.
Observers note that the claims, if substantiated, would raise serious questions about governance, procurement practices, and asset disclosure among senior public officials. Calls have intensified on social media for the relevant oversight bodies to clarify the origins of the properties and to determine whether any laws were breached.
The matter remains in the public domain, with pressure mounting for formal responses from the government and relevant authorities.
