Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues on Sunday described businessman Azzrudin Mohamed as “a desperate, drowning man,” rejecting allegations linking her to improperly acquired properties and accusing him and his associates of criminal activity.
In a video widely circulated on social media, Mohamed accused the minister of using her influence to acquire state lands, owning multiple properties and questioned the acquisition of her wealth.
Rodrigues said Mohamed and his family were rejected by voters at the September 1, 2025 general elections, which returned President Irfaan Ali to office with an increased mandate.
“They lost the elections. The people rejected them,” Rodrigues said in a statement.
Addressing claims circulating on social media, Rodrigues said she owns multiple properties that were legally purchased from private individuals and not acquired through the government or the Central Housing and Planning Authority. She said the properties shown in an online video were not owned by her and that one of the buildings referenced was acquired in 2016, before she entered government and when her party was not in office.
Rodrigues said she has declared all her assets and shareholdings—both local and international—to the Integrity Commission and can account for her wealth.
“I can account for every cent of my assets,” she said, adding that none were obtained through state resources.
She accused Mohamed and his associates of attempting to deflect attention from what she described as serious allegations against them, including corruption, money laundering and gold smuggling.
Rodrigues also referred to international reports linking members of the Mohamed family to criminal networks, including sanctioned individuals, saying these matters would ultimately have to be addressed by law enforcement authorities.
“No amount of deflection will prevent them from answering for their actions,” she said.
Mohamed has previously denied wrongdoing.
