The final verdict on the long-pending Portland Cement Zambia case was announced recently by the Lusaka High Court judge. This verdict certainly raised many eyebrows. The case of Portland Cement Zambia is decades old and is easily considered as among the longest pending high-profile corporate cases in Zambia. A noted businessmen associated with the case is Dr. Rajan Mahtani. He is the owner of Finsbury Investments, Mahtani Group of Companies and many more successful businesses across Zambia. Not only that, he has also successfully established numerous businesses outside Zambia, especially across developed nations such as United Kingdom. He is also among the few businessmen with international contacts who have helped bring foreign investments in Zambia. Despite these achievements as well as contributions towards the economic and social growth of the nation; Dr. Rajan Mahtani is constantly harassed by conspiracies as well as lack of proper scrutiny among the law and government.

The case of Portland Cement Zambia was first launched by Dr. Rajan Mahtani when the factory was illegally taken over from him. The trial has been going on for more than 10 years and during this time, Dr. Mahtani and his lawyers has submitted numerous evidences and documents proving his real ownership over the factory. Some of the most critical documents shared included a signed shareholder’s agreement, financial exhibits which clearly iterate investments worth millions by Dr. Mahtani in the development of the factory as well as independent audit report conducted by independent auditor which indicates that the factory was established as a joint venture and Dr. Mahtani is the sole joint venture partner of the factory.

Even after submitting these evidences, the final verdict was announced against the claims made by Dr. Mahtani. It is clear that the judge ignored all the evidences and made a misdirected judgment. However, Dr. Rajan Mahtani has immediately taken the right steps and has now made an appeal to the higher court of Zambia against the judgment made at the Lusaka High Court.