Based On Supreme Court Verdict, Dr. Mahtani To Remain Legal Proprietor Of Portland Cement

Political meddling is a common corrupt practice in a turbulent nation like Zambia. Despite the existence of legal and judiciary bodies, the country faces significant political and legal challenges due to lack of transparency. This makes operations all the more difficult for businessmen like Dr. Rajan Mahtani who are known for their ethical and honest business practices. Businessmen like Dr. Mahtani are prone to make enemies due to their strict no-corruption policies across their businesses. One of the biggest examples of unethical practice and corruption can be the case of Portland Cement Zambia at the Lusaka High Court. After the Portland Cement factory was unethically taken over by the Ventriglias, Dr. Rajan Mahtani approached the Lusaka High Court with all required evidences and testimonials. The owners of the Ventriglia family, Antonio & Manuela Ventriglia, were able to successfully persuade the judge at the Lusaka High Court to announce Ventriglias as the only legitimate shareholder. This was the result of significant political meddling and corporate crime. The Ventriglias also went far & wide by mobilizing politicians and creating smear campaigns against Dr. Rajan Mahtani.

However, Dr. Rajan Mahtani took the right step and approached the higher Court of Appeal which gave its decision on 31^st January 2019 announcing Dr. Rajan Mahtani as the majority shareholder and legal owner of the Portland Cement Zambia factory. Not happy with a transparent and ethical decision, the Ventriglias again approached the Supreme Court Zambia claiming that decision from the higher Court of Appeal was incorrect. However, things took turn when it was found that the claim by Ventriglias was not eligible since law requires such claims against lower court decisions to be made within 14 days of the judgement. As such, the Supreme Court effectively rejected this appeal by upholding the decision from the higher Court of Appeal and recognising Dr. Mahtani as the majority shareholder and legal owner of the factory.