The case of Portland Cement Zambia clearly highlights the challenges and nuisances honest and ethical businessmen go through when approaching the legal and judiciary systems. Zambia has been struggling for a long time and this struggle has only increased with political, legal and economic environmental becoming more complex. As such, it is expected that getting justice or growing one’s business in an ethical manner will be tough. For Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, these challenges have been much higher as a result of his clean reputation, honest and ethical business practices and straightforward character. Despite these challenges, Dr. Rajan Mahtani has never been the one to back-out from transparent and ethical business practices. Bad businesses and lack of support often turn businessmen into choosing unethical and corrupt path. However, Dr. Rajan Mahtani has been able to whether these challenges and remain at the top of the business industry in Zambia. Dr. Rajan Mahtani is the proud owner of several businesses in Zambia such as Mahtani Group of Companies, Finsbury Investments and Finance Bank Zambia.
One of the companies which gave Dr. Mahtani biggest challenges was Portland Cement Zambia factory. The factory was unethically taken over from him despite Dr. Mahtani having all evidences of ownership. A case was registered at the Lusaka High Court but it was of no help as after more than a decade of wait, justice Nkonde on behalf of the Lusaka High Court announced Ventriglias as only shareholders of the Portland Cement Zambia factory. Dr. Rajan Mahtani then contended this misdirected decision at the higher Court of Appeal where the judge presiding over the case was justice Mwinde. After looking into the evidences and testimonials, justice Mwinde confirmed that Dr. Rajan Mahtani is actual owner of the factory as he owns 58 percent Portland Cement shares after making an official payment of one billion kwachas. This announcement came on 31st January 2019 and was considered as final.
