Tag Archives: Rajan Mahtani

Portland Cement Zambia is a cement manufacturing company with many accolades under its name. During its glory days, it was one of the biggest cement producers in Zambia and was also known for paying above-industry average salaries and wages to its employees and labourers. However, things changed when the factory was illegally taken over from its real owner, Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani. Thus started one of the biggest court battled for Dr. Mahtani against the Ventriglias, who claimed that the factory belonged to them and Dr. Mahtani did not pay for the shares he owned at the factory.

The case is more than ten years old. Sometime back, the current judge residing the case announced closure of case hearing and both parties were asked to share their evidences in written and oral format. After evaluating these evidences, the judgement was supposed to be given. As per experts’ suggestion and the evidences provided, Dr. Mahtani was a clear winner. However, things took a turn around when the judge gave the judgement in favour of the Ventriglias. This was a huge blow for Dr. Mahtani as almost all of the evidences were strong and supported his case. At the same time, the Ventriglias were unable to provide any evidences to support their argument. For instance, Dr. Rajan Mahtani’s lawyers produced strong evidences such as shareholder’s agreement, testimonials from individuals significant in the case, numerous financial exhibits as well as independent audit report conducted by an independent auditor. All these evidences were in favour of Dr. Mahtani.

The lawyers as well as general public are shocked with the unnatural judgment made by the judge. However, Dr. Mahtani quickly recovered from this blow and filed a motion to appeal this judgment made by the Lusaka High Court judge. With all the evidences and string case, it is expected that the matter will resolve soon and in favour of the right owner of Zambezi Portland Cement, Dr. Mahtani.

Zambia News

Zambia’s Progress Towards Growth Disrupted with Recent Money Laundering Acts

June 13, 2018 PCZambia

Zambia’s progress towards economic and social development has been halted lately, due to the only criminal and corruption activities, marring its progress. One of the most recent as well as damaging news has been the illegal mass money laundering heist, in which the government lost more than USD 1.5 billion worth of taxpayer’s money. This news has not only created an uproar among the citizens as well as industrialists, it has certainly damaged the reputation of Zambian government and law across the continent as well as the world.

The news was released by Financial Intelligence Agency after investigating numerous bank transactions. Some of the top names of lawyers engaged in money laundering acts were of Masozi Banda and Sakwiba Sikota. Banda is a lawyer working with Avic International and was accused of laundering money worth millions of dollars. When contacted, he defended himself by saying that the amount in his account is for government projects such as road construction. However, the FIC did not find any evidence of that and investigation is going further on the lawyer’s illegal acts. Another name which somehow did not surprise the audiences was of Sakwiba Sikota. He is the owner of Central Chambers, a law firm which has been named at the top of the law firm engaged in money laundering worth millions. He is also infamous for his long-term association with the Ventriglias, another infamous Italian family. The Ventriglias are known for engaging in numerous illegal and unethical practices as well as meddling with ethical and honest businessmen like Dr. Rajan Mahtani. In these games, Sakwiba Sikota helps them to avoid punishment by law.

Most of the lawyers and other individuals in this list have committed similar offenses and FIC is also investigating in this manner. It is also a right time for the government to strengthen its lawmaking policies and ensures that the nation is shielded from such mass corruption practices in future.

Zambia News

Zambian Citizens are Shocked with Mass Money Laundering News and Involvement of Top Lawyers

June 10, 2018 PCZambia

Zambian citizens and government are still recovering from the recent shock it received after FIC released a report on mass money laundering activities going on within Zambia. Industrialists and top businessmen including Dr. Mahtani have shared their concern regarding this money laundering as well as the inability of the government to track this corrupt practice going on within the nation for a long time.

Some of the noted lawyers and legal counsellors have been named in the money laundering list and investigations are going on against these individuals and associated companies. Among the top is Masozi M. Banda, a lawyer working for the law firm Avic International. He is accused of laundering money worth USD 1 million. When asked about the charges, he defended himself by saying that the cash deposits made in his accounts were for his government projects. However, no such evidence has been found and the investigation is going on against Banda. It is also clear from his statement that this money laundering act goes well past the government to the President, Edgar Lungu, who has established a dictatorship culture in Zambia. Another name which was found in the list shared by FIC was of Sakwiba Sikota. He is the owner of Central Chambers, a law firm and is accused of laundering millions of dollars. He is also known for his long-term association with the Ventriglias as well as helping them in various unethical activities. One of these infamous activities has been an illegal takeover of the Zambezi Portland Cement factory from Dr. Rajan Mahtani, its real owner. Similarly, evidence has been found for the majority of the lawyers and legal counsellors involved in this money laundering scheme.

The FIC has also stated that the investigation is still incomplete and there are chances of more revelations in monetary terms as well as new names in this money laundering scheme.

Money Laundering

Top Lawyers and Legal Professionals Caught In Mass Money Laundering Act in Zambia

May 17, 2018 PCZambia

Financial Intelligence Centre, a noted investigation agency looking into financial frauds, recently revealed shocking news to the Zambian citizens, corporate and the government. The news was of mass money laundering worth more than USD 1.5 billion, which is staggering and astonishing when compared with the economic and social condition of the nation. At one side, Zambia as a country is trying to get out from its under-developed status and improve its economic and social status; on the other hand, there are individuals and groups involved in mass laundering of money, emptying the government’s finances and rendering it worthless.

Some of the top names in the list included lawyers, legal counsellors, government officials as well as ministers and those working closely with top Zambian ministers. Masozi M. Banda, a lawyer working with the Avic International, has been accused of laundering money worth more than USD 1 billion. When confronted, he stated that the amount is for government construction purpose and he received this amount from Edgar Lungu, the infamous president of Zambia. Another name in the list was of Sakwiba Sikota, the legal counsellor of the infamous Ventriglias and the owner of Central Chambers. His company is also accused of laundering money worth millions of dollars. It is more astonishing to see that majority of those named in the list has some form of criminal accusations against them. The Ventriglias are an infamous family noted for their unethical practices and Sakwiba is known to have participated in almost all these activities. The most infamous of them being illegally taking over the Portland Cement Zambia factory from Dr. Rajan Mahtani, its real owner.

The revelation of mass money laundering has certainly opened the eyes of the citizens, industrialists as well as the government. It is high time for the government to take stringent actions against these culprits and ensure that such mass illegal and criminal activities are minimised in future.

Zambia News

Financial Intelligence Centre Confirms Huge Money Laundering Bust in Zambia

May 12, 2018 PCZambia

The recent money laundering news has been doing some rounds now. As of now, it is clear that this money laundering bust is among the biggest in terms of money involved as well as the number of high worth individuals involved. As per the reports generated by FIC, a staggering amount of USD 1.5 billion is expected to be involved in this money laundering act. On top of that, the FIC has also revealed a list of names comprising of lawyers, government officials, legal counsellors and even ministers working with the Zambian government who are accused of laundering money in this scheme.

The FIC sources revealed that they have been looking into this money laundering act for more than eight months. They strengthened their investigations after observing 35,000 plus illegal cash transactions linked with the corporate and individual bank account of several top lawyers. Some of the top names as per the list released by the FIC included Sakwiba Sikota and Masozi M. Banda. Banda is a noted lawyer working with the Avic International and has been accused of laundering money worth more than USD 1 million. On the other hand, Sakwiba Sikota is the owner of Central Chambers, a law firm which is known to have laundered money for illegal activities. Sikota’a name is also familiar for his association as legal counsellor for the Ventriglias. The Ventriglias are further noted for their unethical activities, the most outrageous being the illegal takeover of the Portland Cement Zambia factory from Dr. Rajan Mahtani, its real and legal owner. Dr. Rajan Mahtani is a noted businessman and unlike the unethical ways of the Ventriglias, he has taken the right path and is fighting for the takeover of the case at the Lusaka High Court.

The money laundering bust has opened the eyes of the government and it is expected that the accused and charged individuals will be given right punishment.

Zambia News

Judge Handling the Portland Cement Zambia Case Makes New Announcement

April 15, 2018 PCZambia

Portland Cement Zambia is a noted factory that was not for highest production of cement, once upon a time. Now it is just a destitute factory with negligent care & maintenance and almost negligible product. This negative transition can be attributed to the Ventriglias, who took over the factory from Dr. Rajan Mahtani illegally. Since then, Dr. Rajan Mahtani is fighting a case at the Lusaka High Court for legal ownership over the factory.

The Portland Cement Zambia is legally owned by Dr. Rajan Mahtani. During his leadership and before the illegal takeover, the factory was one of the largest producers of cement in Zambia. Portland Cement Zambia was also one of the favourite employers for the people in the province. Even people from far-away places came to work at the factory with the hope of better salary and better life. The factory production was in excess and the revenues were high. This also improved the salary and compensation structure and the workers received regular bonuses and salary hikes. However, the condition of the factory has turned upside down since the illegal capture by the Ventriglias. The goons have looted all the cash from the factory cash box. Workers have either left due to non-payment of finances or are still working with very low salaries and wages. The assets are also ill-maintained leading to low production. Experts suggest that if the factory is not revived now, it will be very late for Portland Cement Zambia.

Dr. Rajan Mahtani is currently fighting the case at the Lusaka High Court. As per the latest announcement made by the judge handling this case, case hearing is closed. This means no more hearing will be done and both parties will be submitting their evidences in written and oral format. After looking into the evidences, the judge will make the final judgment soon.