Failing To Satisfy Legal Requirements, The Claim From The Ventriglia Family Liable For Rejection

The latest decision from the Supreme Court Zambia is a clear indication for those trying to take advantage of the legal and judiciary system of the nation. This decision pertains to the bizarre appeal made by the Ventriglia family on the Portland Cement Zambia factory. Portland Cement Zambia is a factory which has been under continuous threat due to legal ramifications and parties claiming ownership over the factory. The issue started in the year 2007 when Finsbury Investments, a noted financial organization owned by Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, received 58 percent shares of Portland Cement through an original shareholders’ agreement and became the owner of the factory. Despite this official settlement, the Ventriglia family disputed this agreement and unethically took over the factory. It was then Dr. Rajan Mahtani approached the Lusaka High Court with the hopes of getting quick judgement considering the amounting evidences, facts and testimonials he had in his favour.

However, the verdict from the Lusaka High Court was controversial as justice Nkonde announced Ventriglias as the only shareholders of the Portland Cement Zambia. At the same time, Dr. Rajan Mahtani did not remain quiet and immediately approached the higher Court of Appeal. The judge at the higher Court of Appeal was justice Mwinde and on 31^st January 2019, justice Mwinde announced that the decision from the Lusaka High Court is to be reversed. He announced that Dr. Rajan Mahtani is the majority shareholder and must be given back ownership over the factory.

Even after the higher Court of Appeal’s judgement which was made with absolute transparency and ethical standings, the Ventriglias family decided to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court Zambia. The Supreme Court then evaluated the case and found that the Ventriglia family’s claim was unwarranted as it did not comply with any legal requirement necessary for making such claims. After proper evaluation, the Supreme Court Zambia concluded that the challenge from the Ventriglia family is to be rejected.