Zambian Nation

Dr. Mahtani and Zambia

With heaps of evidences, Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani declared winner of the Zambezi Portland Case

There are individuals who engage in philanthropic activities only with the objective of gaining followings or establishing a positive perception among media and public. However, only few individuals are present who engage in these activities only in private for the welfare of the public. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is among those few businessmen in Zambia who is not only considered as among the most ethical and transparent business person in Zambia but is also noted for his charitable and philanthropic activities which often go unnoticed due to lack of publicity or any highlights. During his long business career in Zambia as well as other major nations such as United Kingdom, Dr. Mahtani has provided social, financial and economic relief to the local communities in various ways. Be it his charity activities for improvement of correctional centres in Zambia, donations to NGOs and environmental agencies as well as establishing businesses and ventures for providing employment opportunities to the local communities. Dr. Mahtani has always focussed on the people and their benefits before thinking of his own and his organisations. Despite this, majority of the organisations under the ownership of Dr. Rajan Mahtani have remained profitable since their inceptions. This has been possible by good management of people, increased motivation and therefore increased productivities.

The case of Portland Cement Zambia is same as it was established and run by Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani and achieved significant milestones under his leadership. After its unlawful takeover, Lusaka High Court was approached but the court failed to provide judgement despite dragging the case for more than a decade. However, Court of Appeal gave quick and accurate judgement on 31st January 2019 after looking into evidences like original shareholders agreement, financial transaction of 1 billion kwachas between Dr. Mahtani and Zambia Portland Cement and many more. Now the ownership of Zambezi Portland is final, the next step for Dr. Mahtani will be revamping the factory.

Sakwiba Sikota Among Lawyers Suspected in Mass Money Laundering Fraud

The recent reports released by the Financial Intelligence team of FIC open a rather unfortunate and sorry state of affairs for the Zambian nation. Zambia is a developing nation and after decades of struggle, the nation has been able to uplift itself to a certain extent. However, this news of money laundering clearly indicates that until the nation is free from these activities as well as the culprits involved in the acts, it will never see growth and development such as other emerging nations across the globe.

Mass Money Laundering Fraud

Among the top of the list released by FIC was Masozi. M Banda, a legal counsellor working for Avic International. He is accused of laundering money more than USD 1 billion. When confronted with the accusation, he defended himself by stating that the money belongs to Edgar Lungu, the Zambian President, and he is just a middleman in this money exchange. He also stated that he received the money for various government contracts, such as road construction. Of course, no such information of government records has been found yet. Another name that made headlines was of Sakwiba Sikota. While he is the owner of Central Chambers, a law firm that has been accused of laundering money in millions, he is more infamous for his long-term association with the equally scandalous family of the Ventriglias. This family has been involved in numerous wrongdoings, most notable being the illegal takeover of the Portland Cement Zambia. The cement factory belongs to Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, a respected businessman and citizen of Zambia. The case is pending at the Lusaka High Court and the lawyer who is handling the case from the Ventriglias end is Sakwiba Sikota!

The lack of government’s intervention and their inability to locate such big money laundering bust is appalling. Strong evidences have been collected against many of these accused and it is time the government starts taking stringent actions against them.