— Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne-Shadeek has broke her silence following a series of “explosive” corruption allegations leveled against her by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed. Speaking on a local podcast over the weekend, the Minister described the accusations as a “political smear campaign” designed to damage her reputation ahead of the upcoming elections.
The dispute highlights the intensifying “social media war” between the government and the opposition, focused largely on the personal wealth of senior officials.
The Allegations: Property and “Unexplained Wealth”
The latest friction began when Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed released a video over the weekend suggesting that Minister Browne-Shadeek had accumulated assets that significantly exceed her official salary.
- The $100M Property: Mohamed alleged that the Minister is the owner of an undisclosed property valued at over $100 million Guyana Dollars.
- Visual Evidence: The Opposition Leader’s social media posts included drone footage and photographs of high-end residential developments, which he claims are linked to the Minister.
- Broader Narrative: These claims follow a pattern by Mohamed, who has spent much of the past month targeting various government ministers with similar allegations of illicit enrichment.
The Minister’s Defense: “Looking Over My Shoulder”
On the podcast, Minister Browne-Shadeek admitted that the relentless nature of the attacks has taken a toll on her personal life and sense of security.
Key Points from Her Response:
- Violation of Privacy: She expressed fear following the use of a drone to film her private residence, stating that she now feels the need to “constantly be looking over her shoulder.”
- Character Assassination: She characterized the claims as “purely political” and lacking any factual basis, stating that they have crossed the line into personal harassment.
- Refusal to Resign: Despite the “derogatory” comments on social media, the Minister was adamant that she would not be deterred from her duties, particularly in bringing relief to Amerindian communities.
- Social Media Monitoring: While some have advised her to ignore the internet, the Minister admitted she still monitors social media to “see what the nation is saying.”
Political Context
The timing of these allegations is critical, as Guyana enters a heightened political period. Opposition Leader Mohamed has used his platform to focus on the “extravagant lifestyles” of government officials, while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has responded by accusing him of using “mafia-style” intimidation tactics to distract from his own ongoing extradition proceedings.
Legal Recourse: While the Minister has not yet filed a defamation lawsuit, government sources suggest that the Cybercrime Act is being reviewed to determine if the drone filming and subsequent distribution of the video constitute a criminal breach of privacy.
