Two Chinese companies have publicly distanced themselves from Su Zhi Rong (also known as Su Zhirong), the businessman at the centre of bribery allegations against Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in the VICE News exposé.
“Contrary to the public pronouncement and assumption, this is to inform the general public that Su Zhi Rong is not in any way connected with the company China Zhonghao Inc.,” a notice in yesterday’s Kaieteur News stated.
“Su Zhi Rong served as the Director of China Zhonghao Inc. from 26th April 2013 to 5th January 2016 on which date the Registrar of the Supreme Court was notified in writing pursuant to Section 75 of the Companies Act that he ceased to hold office as Director of the company,” it added.
China Zhonghao Inc’s address was listed as Block 12 Public Road, Land of Canaan.
The exact wording was used in a notice for forestry business Rong-An-Inc., another company that Su served as Director for. Its address was also listed as Block 12 Public Road, Land of Canaan
However that company stated that he served from 23rd May 2012 to 5th January 2016 and then they notified the Registrar that he was no longer a director.
This newspaper understands that Su was last seen in Guyana in mid-February. There has been no word on his whereabouts.
Calls to Su’s mobile number, the one on which he had spoken to this newspaper when the interview between VICE and Jagdeo was first aired earlier this year, go immediately to voicemail.
Stabroek News had last month also reached out to the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Guyana, the local Chinese business body, and an executive informed that Su has since resigned from it.
It is now unclear what will happen to the number of businesses that Su owns here, which include construction, large-scale lumber and quarrying operations.
The two companies that put out notices yesterday are also putting the public on alert that business transactions will have no connection with Su.
“Accordingly , anything said or done by or any act carried out or otherwise attributed to Su Zhi Rong in his personal or any other capacity should not be taken as a reference to the company China Zhonghao Inc. or otherwise taken to represent or emanate from the company,” the notice also stated.
Additionally, it pointed out that “persons doing or wishing to do business with the company China Zhonghao Inc. are notified that such business will have no connection whatsoever with Su Zhi Rong.”
China Zhonghao Inc has a bulk fuel facility at the Falls Gas Station on the East Bank of Demerara. It stores fuel for a number of local dealers and has boasted of its capacity.
Over the past months, Jagdeo has been at the centre of corruption allegations by Su. Su is said to be a middleman and would allegedly lobby the Vice President on behalf of Chinese investors and companies. He told VICE News’ Isobel Yeung, while she was undercover, that Jagdeo was his boss and “processing fees” had to be paid to him to gain access to lucrative contracts in Guyana. Jagdeo has vehemently denied these allegations and continues to.
The Vice President said that Su has brought his name into disrepute and globally it could mean that his image will be sullied.
“Yes, my reputation took a hit globally. They are not Guyanese so they may not know and this could be really major because it is international. This could be really big,” he said, pointing out that VICE has large viewership globally. He has since taken Su to court with a $50m libel suit.
