Zimbabwe-based Indian billionaire businessman Harpal Randhawa and his son Amer Kabir Singh Randhawa died tragically in a private airplane crash. They were travelling in a private plane that crashed near a diamond mine in southwestern Zimbabwe due to a technical fault. News website 'iHarare reported that six people onboard, including an Indian mining businessman and his son, died in the crash. It added that Harpal Randhawa, owner of mining company 'Riozim', his son and four other people died in the plane crash in the Zvishavane area. Riozim is a major mining company producing gold and coal as well as refining nickel and copper.
Renowned journalist Hopewell Chin’ono shared the news on X, formerly Twitter, and said, "I am deeply saddened with the passing of Harpal Randhawa, the owner of Rio Zim who died today in a plane crash in Zvishavane. 5 other people including his son who was also a pilot, but a passenger on this flight also died in the crash."
Who Was Harpal Randhawa?
Harpal Randhawa was the owner of RioZim, a diversified mining company producing gold and coal as well as refining nickel and copper. Mr Randhawa also founded the $4-billion private equity business GEM Holdings. According to Hindustan Times, RioZim is a wholly-owned Zimbabwean company that produces gold, coal, toll refines nickel and copper.
His 22-year-old son, Amer Randhawa, was a trained pilot and was travelling as a passenger on the flight.
According to the news, the Cessna 206 aircraft owned by 'Riozim' was on its way from Harare to Murowa diamond mine on Friday, September 29, 2023, when the tragic accident occurred. The single-engine airplane crashed near the Murowa diamond mine, which is co-owned by Riozim.
"I first met Harpal in 2017 through a mutual friend and businessman, Kalaa Mpinga who owned Mwana Africa mines. We became friends visiting each other and also became walking partners, walking on Sundays from Drew to Borrowdale race course," Chin’ono wrote, adding "I learnt a lot about the business world through him during our walks".
"He was very generous with life advice, and very humble for the wealthy man that he was. Through him I met many people in the business, diplomatic, and political worlds. My thoughts are with his wife, family, friends and the Rio Zim community. Rest in Peace, your works and love for Zimbabwe will be your lasting legacy," Chin’ono added in the post.