Dr. Mahtani Finally Wins The Case Of Zambezi Portland Cement With SC Announcement

In a definitive manner, the Portland Cement Zambia factory is not under the leadership and ownership of Dr. Rajan Mahtani only. This decision was made after a challenge was established by the Ventriglias on the decision of the higher Court of Appeal. On 31st January 2019, justice Mwinde on behalf of the higher Court of Appeal announced Dr. Mahtani as the majority shareholder  and actual owner of the Portland Cement with 58 percent shares. By giving this decision, the higher Court of Appeal effectively reversed the judgement from the Lusaka High Court. 

However, it seems that the Ventriglia family were not able to take this justifiable defeat and in a last-manner attempt to showcase their relevance and power, decided to challenge the decision from the higher Court of Appeal. In this appeal, the Ventriglias claimed that the decision from the higher Court of Appeal to announce Dr. Mahtani owned Finsbury Investments as the majority shareholder was incorrect. At the same time, the Ventriglias also claimed that the actual amount payable against the majority shares owned by Finsbury Investments was K580 million. 

To evaluate this claim, a bench of three judges was established at the Supreme Court Zambia. These included Judges Mumba Malila, Royda Kaoma and Michael Musonda. After evaluating the claim, the judges conformed that the Ventriglias were required to launch their claim within 14 days of final decision from Court of Appeal which was 31st January 2019. Since the date is way passed, the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to interfere in this case. It was also found that the appeal with its purposes and intents resulted in nothing and as such, the appeal from Ventriglias was rejected.