Indian billionaire and mining tycoon Harpal Randhawa and his son Amer died in a private plane crash in southwestern Zimbabwe. They were among the six people on board the plane who died in the crash near a diamond mine after experiencing a technical fault, according to media reports.Randhawa is the owner of the RioZim, a diversified mining company producing gold and coal as well as refining nickel and copper. He also founded the $4-billion private equity business GEM Holdings.Details of Zimbabwe plane crashRandhawa and his son were travelling in a private plane named Cessna 206 aircraft privately owned by RioZim. They were en route from Harare to the Murowa diamond mine when the accident happened. He along with his son and four others were killed when the plane crashed in the Zvamahande area of Mashava as per media reports.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.The plane experienced a technical fault, possibly resulting in a mid-air explosion, before plummeting into Peter Farm in the Zvamahande region. All passengers and crew onboard lost their lives in this accident, the report said.Hopewell Chinono grieves friends deathRandhawas death was grieved by his friend and filmmaker Hopewell Chinono, on X where he wrote: “I am deeply saddened with the passing of Harpal Randhawa, the owner of RioZim who died today in a plane crash in Zvishavane, Five other people including his son, who was also a pilot but a passenger on this flight, also died in the crash.”He also added “My thoughts are with his wife, family, friends and the RioZim community.”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 Chinono (@daddyhope) September 29, 2023RioZim confirmed the crash and said it was working with relevant authorities to gather more information. The RioZim company secretary said a full statement will be issued.“I am not in a position to address the media right now. We will, however, be issuing a statement as soon as possible,” he said.In the meantime, the local community and law enforcement agencies are working together to manage the aftermath of the plane crash.
