Dr. Rajan Mahtani was announced as the majority shareholder and legal owner of the Portland Cement Zambia factory by higher Court of Appeal, after the former made a claim at the higher Court of Appeal. However, it was once again challenged by the Ventriglia family claiming it to be false and untrue. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court established a bench of three judges for evaluating the claim. During evaluation, the bench discovered that a critical legal requirement was not followed by the infamous Italian family. In this legal requirement, any case against a previous court decision should be submitted within 14 days of the decision itself. The higher Court of Appeal announced its verdict on 31st January 2019 meaning the Ventriglia family was supposed to submit its case within two weeks of this decision. However, they submitted their claim after more than 1.5 years which automatically means the claim is liable for rejection. Furthermore, the Supreme Court bench also found that the circumstances surrounding the claim was controversial. After looking into these aspects, the Supreme Court bench effectively rejected the claim by the Ventriglia family.
However, it is now come to attention that the family has even disregarded this decision from the highest judiciary system of Zambia. Despite Dr. Mahtani announced as majority shareholder and legal owner of the factory, the family is continuously disrespecting this decision. In an attempt, intimidatory forces are now used for denying access to the majority shareholder to cement plant. On top of that, the have vowed towards continuing their illegal practice of preventing access. Not only this, the appointment of the interim CEO (Chief Executive Office) for taking ownership of the business at Ndola-based cement company was prevented by the Ventriglia family by placing thugs in the area. These Italians are certainly thinking themselves as above the law and above the Supreme Court Zambia. It is only a matter of time when the law takes its course and punishes such criminal activities as well as lawlessness with absolute impunity.
