Indian billionaire Harpal Randhawa (pictured), owner of the Murowa diamond mine in Zimbabwe and several other gold and diamond assets, died in a plane crash in Zimbabwe’s Mashava region on 29 September. He was 60.
According to a statement from RioZim, which owns Murowa, five other people died in the crash of the company-owned plane: Randhawa’s 22-year-old son Amer; George Sibanda, a RioZim executive; Vishwanath Pichumone, an accountant said to be on a “temporary assignment” in Zimbabwe; Nikhil Mahadik, who worked for Murowa; and Reginald Muchemwa, the plane’s pilot.
Randhawa was chairman of GEM (Global Emerging Markets) Holdings, a $4 billion private equity fund he founded in 1993, which is the majority shareholder in RioZim, which bought the Murowa mine in 2015.
Last year, RioZim bought the Sperrgebiet diamond mine in Namibia. RioZim also produces coal, nickel and copper.
Randhawa “was not only a remarkable leader, but also a valued friend and mentor to many of us,” said the statement, attributed to RioZim chairman Saleem Beebeejaun. “His unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of excellence have been the cornerstone of our organisation and his legacy will forever be ingrained in the very essence of the company.
“The Board is committed to ensuring continuity in the management of the business. Over the coming days, we will work closely with the executive team to provide guidance and support as we navigate through these turbulent and challenging times.”
Randhawa “was very generous with life advice and very humble for the wealthy man he was,” wrote friend Hopewell Chin’ono on X. “Through him I met many people in the business, diplomatic and political worlds.
“Rest in peace,” Chin’ono concluded, “your works and love for Zimbabwe will be your lasting legacy.
Local police are working to determine the cause of the crash, according to a report in Zimbabwe’s state-run newspaper The Herald.
