Follow Us
Like Us
About Franz Xaver Richter
Franz Richter (1927 – 2007)
Brief overview:
Richter (80), a Romanian born conservationist and well-known in nature and tourism circles, and owner of the Heia Safari Ranch and Aloe Ridge Lodge, was shot dead, on 28th November 2007, as he was on his way to pay workers.
Three suspects, Johnson Chwire (23), Dumisani Xulu (37), and Gilbert Mosadi (31), appeared in Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court on charges of murder and robbery. Chwire was out on bail for another robbery case when Richter was killed. In the court hearing, prosecutor Mahlubi Ntlakaza requested that Judge Piet Meyer sentence Celiwe Mbokazi (Richter's wife) to life in jail for her role in the murder of her husband, and an additional sentence of 15-years for the robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Judge Meyer ruled that Mbokazi had planned the robbery and murder with her co-accused Dumisani Xulu. Ntlakaza maintained in aggravation of sentence that Mbokazi, Xulu, Johnson Tsepho Chirwa and Gilbert Mosadi deserved to be sentenced to life for the murder and a minimum of 15-years for the robbery.
Brief Biography:
- Other Victims/Family
- He is survived by his two daughters, Gaby Burgmer and Gabi Kunigkeit, son Alex and four grandchildren.
- Funeral/Memorial
- Richter was buried at Heia Safari Ranch. The family invited members of the public to attend.
- The Farm/Smallholding
- The Region (Land disputes, other incidents etc.)
Attack Details:
- Date and time of attack: 28th November 2007
- Weapons: Firearm
- Items Stolen
- Investigative officer/SAPS Case No:
- Torture, Gratuitous violence
- Indications of Hate Crime? Threats etc.
Perpetrator details:
- Number and Descriptions:
- Arrests
- Name/s and age/s of Perpetrator/s:
- Johnson Chwire (23), Dumisani Xulu (37), Gilbert Mosadi (31), Celiwe Mbokazi
- Country of origin of Perpetrator/s
- Trial/Conviction
- Judge Piet Meyer had found Celiwe Mbokazi (Franz's wife by African rites) - along with Johnson Chirwa, Dumisani Xulu and Gilbert Mosadi - guilty of the cold-blooded murder, all were were jailed for life.
Additional Biographical Information:
'Live in Africa with Africa." This was the motto that fierce conservation campaigner Franz Richter lived by. For more than 35 years the former miner and motor mechanic had fought to preserve nature on his game lodge in Muldersdrift, north-west of Joburg. But the site of his greatest achievement became the place where he met his untimely and brutal death. Richter (80) was attacked at his lodge, Heia Safari Ranch, about 10.30am on Wednesday by at least three armed robbers. They shot the conservationist in the head and chest before fleeing on foot with an undisclosed sum of money. Shortly after the incident, police arrested three men in the vicinity of the ranch. They were found with a large sum of money in their possession. Richter was born in Romania but settled in South Africa more than 50 years ago. His family are still struggling to come to terms with his killing. "I don't understand why this had to happen. My father was a patriot. He believed in this country," said his daughter Gaby Burgmer. Having fled the communist takeover in Romania, Richter spent time in Germany before boarding a ship to SA, where he took up a job as a mineworker in Joburg in 1952. During this time he struck up a friendship with a young seamstress penpal in Munich, Hedwig Sedlmayr. In 1954, Richter sent a ticket for Sedlmayr to visit him in SA. Arriving at Cape Town harbour with a suitcase in one hand and a sewing machine in the other, she married Richter 16 hours later. By 1961 Richter, a trained mechanic, was working at a number of workshops around Joburg before saving enough money to pursue his passion for conservation. During his time in the motor industry Richter became a good friend of Formula 1 racing legend Jackie Stewart, said Burgmer. Her father was also instrumental in bringing BMW to the country. Acquiring 1 100 hectares in Muldersdrift, Richter started Heia Safari Ranch, Aloe Ridge Lodge, a cultural village and a game reserve. "He had a vision," Burgmer said of Richter's ambition to expand his conservation efforts, adding that he had resolutely declined numerous lucrative offers to turn the property into a golf estate or housing development. Condemning the murder of Richter, the Southern African Tourism Services Association (Satsa) called on the government to act on crime. "Richter was an iconic character of the industry who had been involved in developing tourism to that area for the past 35 years. He will be greatly missed," said Satsa CEO Michael Tatalias. The organisation decried the high crime rate and its effect on the R66-billion tourism industry, SA's highest foreign exchange earner. Recalled as a great philanthropist who had an open-door policy towards anyone he encountered, Richter was caring for five orphans at the time of his death. By Beauregard Tromp The Star 30/11/07
Links to Media articles:
view all
Franz Xaver Richter's Timeline
| 1927 |
1927
|
Romania
|
|
| 2007 |
November 28, 2007
Age 80
|
Muldersdrift, West Rand, GP, South Africa
|