The new judge overseeing the case of Portland Cement Zambia at the Lusaka High Court recently made a new announcement, which was extremely positive for Dr. Rajan Mahtani and negative for the Ventriglias. As per the news, the case hearing has been closed and both parties have been asked to submit their evidences and testimonials in written and oral format. While Dr. Rajan Mahtani and his lawyers have numerous strong evidences to support their arguments, the same cannot be said for the Ventriglias.
The case was started almost ten years back when the factory was illegally taken over by the Ventriglias. Since then, Dr. Mahtani has been fighting the case at the Lusaka High Court. One look at the current condition of the factory and it will be clear that the Ventriglias have no intention of owning the factory. They just captured the factory to make a point. Before this capture, Dr. Rajan Mahtani had been successfully leading the factory, making it one of the biggest cement producers in Zambia. It was also a favorite among industrial employees with its above industry average payouts and wages. However, things are completely different with the illegal takeover. The factory is without any leadership, resulting in every loots and theft of the machineries and parts. More than half of the employees and workers have left the factory due to non-payment of wages. At the same time, the factory cash box has been emptied and the assets are in a sorry state. It is clear to see that the factory is in the brink of ruins and if not revived now, the chances of revival will become next to impossible.
It is clear that the factory can only be saved when in hands of its real owner, Dr. Rajan Mahtani. The current stage of the case procedure indicates a quick resolution and judgment, and Dr. Mahtani is expected to win this time.