Man murdered in car bomb explosion is owner of defunct Soap & Sponge Ltd; shares in subsequent company S & S Bathrooms Ltd listed in his daughter’s name

John Camilleri, 67, who was murdered in a car-bomb explosion early this morning, was one of two brothers who owned bathroom supplies company Soap & Sponge Ltd.

The last annual return for the company, which was set up in 1979, was filed 15 years ago, in 2001. Company law dictates that annual returns must be filed with the Companies Registry for publication every year.

The brothers split acrimoniously that year and each set up a separate bathroom supplies company. Edgar Camilleri set up Ideal Bathrooms Ltd in Mosta. Not long afterwards, he committed suicide, and the business is now owned and run by his daughters.

John Camilleri set up S & S Bathrooms Ltd in Lija. The company is registered at his home address, a flat in St Paul’s Bay close to where he was blown up – but all the shares are held in his daughter Melanie Zerafa’s name. She is also the sole director and judicial representative of the company.

Despite the split 15 years ago and his death since then, Edgar Camilleri continues to be listed as a director of Soap & Sponge Ltd until today. All document filings stopped that year, but they do not include a notice of dissolution of the company. The Malta Financial Services Authority has not struck the company off.

Informed sources tell me that Soap & Sponge Ltd could not be dissolved because deadlock between the brothers on serious financial issues prevented agreement being reached.

Soap & Sponge Ltd

Soap & Sponge Ltd

S & S Bathrooms Ltd

Melanie Zerafa, whose father was murdered in a car bomb explosion this morning. All the shares in S & S Bathrooms Ltd, which is registered at his flat in St Paul’s Bay/Bugibba, are held in her name. She is also the sole director and judicial representative.