South Africa: Wildlife trophy hunter shot ‘in cold blood’ next to car
The 55-year-old frequently posted photos of himself with dead wild animals
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Your support makes all the difference.A wildlife trophy hunter who killed elephants and lions and uploaded photos of himself next to their carcasses has been shot dead in South Africa.
Riaan Naude, 55, was gunned down “at close range” when a car pulled up next to his truck in Marken Road, Limpopo – an area which includes part of the Kruger National Park wildlife reserve.
Lieutenant Colonel Mamphaswa Seabi, a spokesperson for South Africa’s national police force, said: “The man was lying with his face up and there was blood on his head and face.”
A pair of hunting rifles, clothes, water, whiskey and pyjamas were found by officers, as reported by Maroela Media.
The Heritage Protection Group, a not-for-profit group against rhino poaching, claim there are two suspects involved in the hunter’s murder.
The group wrote in a Facebook post: “According to eyewitnesses, a white bakkie [truck] stopped next to him and shot him in cold blood at a short distance, after which the two suspects got out and only stole his pistol.
“They then jumped into the vehicle and raced in the direction of Marken. Traces were trampled on the scene. All the personal belongings were still in the vehicle, weapons, ammunition, hunting equipment and clothes were left as is.”
Mr Naude ran the Pro Hunt Africa firm, a “hunting and Eco Safari outfit” in northern South Africa.