( Kaieteur News ) – Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed has launched a fresh corruption offensive against Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, alleging that thousands of acres of prime gold-mining lands were preferentially allocated to the minister's immediate family through political influence.
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.
In a video published on his Team Mohamed's Facebook page, Mohamed alleged that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has bypassed long-standing local applicants to grant a total of 7,614 acres of lucrative mining land to the minister's two sons and his daughter-in-law since 2023.
Screenshot of the GGMC Mineral Map showing applicant as Zahed Mustapha.
According to specific figures presented by Mohamed, the land allocations include 2,867 acres across three blocks to the minister's daughter-in-law.
Further, 2,349 acres across two blocks have been allocated to one son and another 2,398 acres across two blocks to the other son.
Mohamed contended that the family possesses no traditional background in the mining sector and secured these vast acreages via the GGMC Area Committee through political influence rather than standard regulatory procedures. Furthermore, he alleged that the Mustapha family is leasing these properties to foreign mining tycoons to collect substantial rental fees and kickbacks, while simultaneously using an Essequibo-based gold dealer to execute a money laundering scheme through fraudulent equipment receipts.
Screenshot of the GGMC Mineral map showing applicant for the mining block owned by Mustapha's daughter in law.
According to Mohamed, these allocations occur at a time when the price of gold is hovering near record highs of nearly 4,000 to 5,000 US dollars per ounce, creating an environment where small-scale Guyanese miners are being systemically marginalised. He claimed that traditional local miners are being actively forced off lucrative state lands, experiencing camp burnings, arrests, and the seizure of their equipment by authorities acting on behalf of senior government officials and politically connected elites. Calling the situation an absolute breakdown of transparency and resource management, Mohamed concluded his broadcast by demanding the immediate resignation of Minister Mustapha.
Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha responded swiftly with an official statement, rejecting Mohamed's accusations as entirely false, misleading, and completely unsupported by credible evidence. Mustapha labelled Mohamed a fugitive offender and suggested that the sudden wave of public attacks was a direct retaliation following his son's decision to pursue an independent professional path away from previous associations.
Gazetted document showing blocks approved by subject Minister for applicant, Javed Mustapha.
Proof of ownership of mining blocks belonging to son of Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.
The minister emphasised that his children have been legitimately engaged in medium-scale mining operations for several years, conducting their affairs openly and professionally within the established statutory frameworks.
Defending the integrity of the allocations, Mustapha argued that his family's business affairs are completely separate from his public office and that his children possess the same constitutional right as any other Guyanese citizen to invest in the extractive sectors. He stated that all properties in question were acquired through the standard, lawful procedures governed by the competent mining authorities, requiring full compliance with regulatory fees and investment mandates.
The agriculture minister shifted the focus back onto the opposition figure by pointing out that it is a matter of clear public record that Mohamed and his family collectively hold mining rights that far exceed the combined holdings of the Mustapha children. Mustapha questioned the credibility of the narrative being pushed, noting that despite the severity of the accusations regarding foreign leasing, Mohamed failed to identify a single foreign company or produce a single shred of documentation to substantiate the claim.
Concluding his defense, Minister Mustapha stated that repeated allegations made through social media platforms are no substitute for actual proof and cannot function as a replacement for the rule of law. He challenged Mohamed to submit whatever purported evidence he possesses to the competent investigative bodies for independent review rather than trying individuals in the court of public opinion. Mustapha reasserted his complete confidence in Guyana's state institutions and urged the public to reject inflammatory rhetoric in favour of facts and due process.
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