Affordable Housing Minister Roderick Galdes engaged in a property barter deal with developers, exchanging his Xagħra apartment for a plot of land in Għarb that was being purchased by property figures Joseph Portelli, Mark Agius and Daniel Refalo.This marks the second private transaction between Galdes and the developers’ company, Excel Investments. Earlier this year, he also acquired a “bargain” penthouse and garage in Victoria, Gozo, from the same firm according to Times of Malta. Property records show Galdes transferred the furnished Xagħra apartment to Excel in 2020 for €135,000, having originally bought it for €45,000 in 2015. Excel’s spokesperson said the barter was initiated by the minister. In 2018, the company was buying several Għarb land plots, each valued at €100,000, and Galdes expressed interest in one. He proposed to settle the purchase by transferring his Xagħra property, and the plot was then assigned to him by contract. A house has since been built on the site.To balance the difference between the €100,000 plot and his €135,000 apartment, the spokesperson said Excel carried out works on the Għarb site for Galdes, all of which were formally documented and conducted under applicable procedures.Galdes responded to questions by saying he and his wife always complied with the law in all their actions. He reiterated that he does not own any property without legal title, dismissed contrary claims as falsehoods, and said all his assets have been declared in parliament as required by law.The revelations come amid scrutiny of another deal in which Galdes bought the Gozo penthouse and garage for €140,000, below current market value, claiming he reserved it in advance at pre‑construction prices.Records also show that in the same year he reserved the penthouse, Galdes bought an unconverted Siġġiewi townhouse for €125,000, later renovated and marketed as a holiday rental.His property investments in 2025 also include other purchases and a €135,000 loan secured against two Luqa properties he owns. Galdes has bought several homes in Qormi and elsewhere over the years.Opposition figures have demanded his resignation, and a criminal complaint has been filed alleging “unexplained wealth,” detailing multiple properties and rental income received by Galdes or his family. Rule‑of‑law NGO Repubblika has called for an investigation, stating the case could represent corruption, the abuse of public office for private gain, if confirmed, noting that as housing minister he holds influence in a sector dominated by powerful commercial interests.What do you make of this?•