Indian billionaire Harpal Randhawa and his son, Amer Randhawa, were among the six victims of a plane crash in southwestern Zimbabwe on September 29th. The devastating incident has sent shockwaves through the international business community and has left many mourning the loss of the prominent figures.
The private plane, which was en route from Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, to the Murowa diamond mine, crashed as it neared its destination. Noted Zimbabwean journalist-filmmaker Hopewell Chin’ono identified Harpal and Amer Randhawa as two of the victims. The aircraft, a Cessna, belonged to RioZim, a wholly-owned Zimbabwean company that produces gold, coal, and also toll refines nickel and copper. Harpal Randhawa was the owner of RioZim, and the Murowa diamond mine was partly owned by the company.
Harpal Randhawa was not just a successful businessman in Zimbabwe. According to his LinkedIn profile, he served as the Chairman of GEM Holdings, a company he founded in July 1993. GEM Holdings, a private equity firm, has grown to be worth an impressive $4 billion. There were also reports suggesting that Harpal was planning another business venture in India.
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
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
Amer Randhawa, Harpal’s son, was a trained pilot. However, during this ill-fated flight, he was traveling as a passenger. The Randhawa family has announced that a memorial service for the deceased will be held, as mentioned by Hopewell Chin’ono.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police have been working diligently to identify all the crash victims and establish the cause of the accident. Initial reports suggest that the plane might have experienced technical difficulties before the crash. Eyewitnesses recounted that the plane made an unusual noise, seemed to circle in one spot, and then crashed. The weather conditions at the time were described as misty.
This tragic incident has not only highlighted the risks associated with private air travel but has also left a void in the business world. Harpal Randhawa’s contributions to the mining industry and his plans for future ventures will be sorely missed.
While the investigations continue, condolences have poured in from all corners of the world, remembering the Randhawas and the other victims of the crash. The global community awaits further details and hopes for a thorough investigation into this tragic event.
