The perseverance, patience and faith in the justice system never go to waste. This was proved by the latest decision from the Court of Appeal on Zambezi Portland Cement. The case of Zambezi Portland Cement was registered at the Court of Appeal by Dr. Rajan Mahtani; after Lusaka High Court failed to provide true justice. Dr. Rajan Mahtani is one of the most celebrated businessmen in Zambia and after the ZPC factory was illegally taken from him, a case was launched by him at the Lusaka High Court. It took more than ten years and numerous judges to announce the final decision. However, the final decision from the Lusaka High Court judge gave no respite to Dr. Rajan Mahtani as the judge, Justice Nkonde, gave the final verdict that the Ventriglias were only shareholders of the Zambezi Portland Cement. This prompted Dr. Rajan Mahtani to take the case to the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal did not disappoint and on 31st January 2019, announced its final judgement on the case. According to this judgement, Finsbury Investments which is owned by Dr. Rajan Mahtani holds 58 percent shares at the factory and is the majority shareholder of the Zambezi Portland Cement. On the other hand, Ital Terrazzo Limited which is owned by the Ventriglias own 42 percent shares and is the minority shareholder of the Zambezi Portland Cement. Thus, it was proved at the Court of Appeal that Dr. Rajan Mahtani is the majority shareholder and legal owner of the factory.
The judge at the Court of Appeal, Justice Mwinde, also said that the judge below him was wrong in declaring Ventriglias as the only shareholders of the Zambezi Portland Cement as the judgement was without any evidence and against the interest of the public policies. Furthermore, a timeline of three months has been provided by the judge for share regularization process as per the final judgement from the Court of Appeal.
