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Zimbabwe: Tragic strikes after Zimbabwe-based Indian billionaire businessman Harpal Randhawa and his son Amer Kabir Singh Randhawa died in a private airplane crash. A private plane has crashed near a diamond mine in south-western Zimbabwe due to a technical glitch. Six people aboard, including an Indian mining businessman and his son, died, on September 29, according to reports.
According to sources, Harpal Randhawa, owner of mining company ‘Rio zim’, his son and four other people died in the plane crash in Jawamhande area of Mashawa. Rio Zim is a major mining company producing gold and coal as well as refining nickel and copper. He also founded a $4-billion private equity business GEM Holdings.
The mining tycoon and his son were traveling in a Cessna 206 aircraft, privately owned by RioZim. They were en route from Harare to the Murowa diamond mine when the accident happened. The single-engined aircraft crashed near the Murowa Diamonds mine, which is partly owned by RioZim. All passengers and crew onboard died in the accident.
Harpal Randhawa’s friend, journalist and filmmaker Hopewell Chin’ono in Zimbabwe has confirmed his death in the accident on social media platforms on X and wrote, “I am deeply saddened with the passing of Harpal Randhawa, the owner of Rio Zim who died 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.”
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.
I first met Harpal in 2017 through a… pic.twitter.com/A0AGOaR3sw
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) September 29, 2023
Mr Chinono also put up a tweet informing of the memorial service for the father-son duo.
The family of Harpal Randhawa who died with his son Amer on Friday in a plane crash, respectfully invite all his friends and associates to celebrate his life and that of his son Amer at a memorial service at Raintree on Wednesday the 4th of October, 2023.
Arrival time is 3PM.… pic.twitter.com/cWF0kPhe7G
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) October 1, 2023
Who was Harpal Randhawa?
Randhawa, 60, was the founder of $4 billion private equity firm GeM Holdings. He was the owner of RioZim, a diversified mining company producing gold and coal as well as refining nickel and copper. He also had extensive interests in gold, diamond and coal mining in Zimbabwe and was a prominent figure in the country.
According to sources, Randhawa has served as the Chairman of GEM Group for 30 years since its formation in July 1993. Additionally, he was a partner at Sabre Capital Worldwide for 12 years and a senior advisor at the real estate firm Safanad for three years. Randhawa completed his education from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the University of London. According to reports, he was planning his next business venture. His wife’s name has not been revealed yet.
Amer Kabir Singh Randhawa, 22, tycoon’s son, is a trained pilot, who also died in the tragic accident on Friday The names of the other deceased passengers are yet to be released. Many people expressed grief and condolences on social media on Randhawa’s demise. Meanwhile, the local community and law enforcement agencies are working together to manage the aftermath of the plane crash.
