Friedel Johannes Filter

Friedel Filter was inside his homestead along with his wife, his sister, his son Jörg Filter, and visiting family guests from Germany. A gang consisting of six attackers targeted the farm property. Four of the perpetrators remained stationed outside to act as lookouts, while two armed intruders wearing balaclavas forced their way directly into the house. The intruders confronted the family in what appeared to be an opportunistic armed robbery. During the house invasion, the attackers opened fire in front of the traumatized family members. Friedel Filter was shot dead in front of his sister. Despite the severe shock, his sister managed to verbally drive the gunmen out of the house by screaming frantically, which caused the intruders to panic and flee the premises. She immediately contacted the local farm watch network to raise the alarm.Following a dedicated investigation by the South African Police Service led by Investigating Officer Captain Attie Engelbrecht, a total of three suspects were arrested and held in custody. A fourth perpetrator involved in the planning and execution managed to evade capture and remained at large.The legal proceedings escalated to the Madadeni High Court. Two and a half years after the crime, the prosecution successfully secured definitive convictions against the primary perpetrators. On November 27, 2018, the Madadeni High Court handed down the following prison sentences:Sthembiso Domoyi Shoba (Accused Number One) was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Friedel Filter, 10 years imprisonment for attempted murder, and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.Sabelo Abel Shoba (Accused Number Two) was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder, and a combined 15 years for the counts of attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.