Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is among those few businessmen in Zambia who have achieved success despite the widespread corruption and unethical practices across the nation. The economy of Zambia is marred with people either facing corruption or corrupting others with their power. Dr. Rajan Mahtani has been facing these challenges for around the time he started his business ventures across the nation. Among these challenges, the greatest has been Portland Cement Zambia case. The factory was unethically taken over and despite more than a decade of case proceeding and running around the court, justice was not given for Dr. Rajan Mahtani. On the other side, the unethical and controversial verdict from the Lusaka High Court judge confirmed that the decision was misdirected and had external forces influencing the case.
Nevertheless, Dr. Rajan Mahtani re-appealed to the higher Court of Appeal. All evidences and testimonials were also shared. Justice Mwinde, who took over the case at the Court of Appeal, evaluated all evidences, facts and testimonials and announced the final decision on 31st January 2019. According to the evidences, Dr. Rajan Mahtani made a payment of one billion kwachas to the Portland Cement Zambia limited. This amount was paid for covering the value of the entire share capital associated with the factory. Furthermore, the evidences collected and evaluated also included shareholders’ agreement which was made in the year 2007. According to the page number 662 of this agreement, Dr. Rajan Mahtani took over 58 percent of the Portland Cement shares with the transfer of one billion kwachas. He is therefore, no longer liable for any further costs associated with the factory. While giving these decisions, justice Mwinde also declared that all allegations related to forgery were discarded by the judge as it was found that the practice of mechanical placement of signatures was common in Portland Cement Zambia.
Based on the evidences and subsequent evaluation, Justice Mwinde announced that Dr. Rajan Mahtani is indeed the actual owner of the factory.
