A professional trophy hunter who slaughtered lions and elephants and was head of a hunting company in northern South Africa, was shot dead on Monday, July 4, after his truck broke down at Kruger National Park wildlife reserve.
The 55-year-old Riaan Naude was gunned down at close range when a car pulled up next to his truck in Marken Road, Limpopo.
South Africa’s national police force spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mamphaswa Seabi, said: “The man was lying with his face up and there was blood on his head and face.” “The motive for the attack and the subsequent murder is unknown at this stage.”
Two hunting rifles, clothes, water, whiskey and pajamas were found by officers in Naude’s truck near the Kruger National Park wildlife reserve, local outlet Maroela Media reported.
A nonprofit group against rhino poaching, Heritage Protection Group, claim there are two suspects involved in the hunter’s murder, who pulled up alongside him when the hunter stopped his truck near Mokopane after it overheated.
The group said two men got out of a white Nissan pickup truck. One of the men shot him, and the pair snatched one of his guns and fled.
A cattle herder heard a gunshot and witnessed a Nissan truck speeding away, according to reports.
Naude was the head of Pro Hunt Africa firm, a “hunting and Eco Safari outfit” in northern South Africa which offered hunting safaris in northern South Africa near Kruger National Park.
Aside from lions and elephants, hunting safaris offered by Pro Hunt Africa include baboon, hyena, zebra, and warthog safaris.
Non-profit organization Protect All Wildlife claimed Naude was also involved in breeding and selling giraffes to customers for hunting purposes.
