“A testament to ultra-modern design, the new Radisson Blu Hotel, Maputo is located overlooking the Indian Ocean within easy reach of Maputo International Airport and the city centre. Cutting-edge style and unique features are the hallmark of this first-rate hotel where guests can look forward to luxurious guest rooms, superb dining and state-of-the-art conferencing facilities,” … that is how the Radisson Blu Hotel is described on its website. But this is not just any luxury hotel with a $3,000 per night presidential suite.
This is a hotel with a mysterious past. It has been two years since the richest man in Maputo, Syed Manzar Abbas, the Pakistan born owner of the gleaming 12-storey steel and glass luxury hotel in Mozambique’s capital, was initially targeted by a bomb attack and later barely survived a mafia-style shooting which left him wheelchair bound.
Rumor has it that there was drugs money linked with the hotel and someone needed to settle a score …
So the richest man in Maputo turned to one of the richest men in Saudi Arabia – the Chairman of Aujan Industries – makers of Rani juices, Vimto and Barbican – and sold his hotel to Rani Resorts.
And now the hotel’s new owners are about to launch the five star Radisson Blu Hotel, Maputo. Slated to open in early 2013, the hotel expects to attract foreign businessmen who are flocking to Mozambique attracted by its rich coal and natural gas resources. Watch out for stray bullets while you tuck into the caviar!
