Apart from economic development and political stability, the progress of a nation is also determined by its legal policies and practices. Some of the most developed as well as advanced countries across the globe have established high legal and regulatory standards for organisations, industries as well as its citizens. In the same path, developing and emerging nations are also tightening their regulatory and legal frameworks to strengthen their working environment and improving the efficiency of their work.
Sadly, the same cannot be said for the legal system of Zambia, a developing nation from the African continent. It can be easily depicted by the case of Portland Cement Zambia, a high profile corporate case in Zambia which has been dragged at the Lusaka High Court for more than ten years now. The case was registered by Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, a famous businessman in Zambia with numerous successful businesses under his name. He has built top Zambian companies such as Mahtani Group of Companies, Finsbury Investment and Finance Bank Zambia. He is also involved in philanthropic and charitable activities. Dr. Mahtani is also famous for his honest and transparent nature as well as ethical business practices, which is why he took the legal and transparent path of registering the case at the Lusaka High Court even though the factory was illegally taken away from him. However, his patience and calm nature has been continuously tested due to the inefficiency of the courts and the legal system within the nation.
The final judgment on the Portland Cement Zambia was announced recently and despite all evidences and strong facts, it was given against Dr. Rajan Mahtani. As a result, Dr. Mahtani was left with no choice than to take action by appealing to the higher court of appeal. This appeal has been made against the judgment given at the Lusaka High Court which has been considered as misdirected by majority.