Warning: this article contains images some may find distressing
The trophy hunter often posted pictures on social media of himself posing with the carcasses of animals he had killed
A wildlife trophy hunter has been killed in an “execution-style” murder in Limpopo, South Africa.
Police found Riaan Naude dead next to his vehicle in the South African province, which is famous for its wildlife reserves. They said he had been shot dead.
They also found a pair of hunting rifles, clothes, water, whiskey and pyjamas in his vehicle.
South African Police Service spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mamphaswa Seabi said: “The man was lying with his face up and there was blood on his head and face.”
He was also the head of the Pro Hunt Africa firm, which describes itself on its website as a “hunting and Eco Safari outfit” in northernmost South Africa.
According to the Heritage Protection Group via Maroela Media, a not-for-profit organisation which fights against rhino poaching, Naude had stopped by the side of the road when his vehicle overheated.
He was then reportedly shot “in cold blood” after a second vehicle pulled up next to him. Two men then got out, stole one of his guns, and drove off in the direction of Marken.
In a post on Twitter, anti-hunting group XposeTrophyKilling shared the news alongside a picture of Naude holding a dead lion.
They tweeted that he had been shot “execution-style.”
https://twitter.com/TrophyXpose/status/1534993565813657605
Police have said the motive for the attack is unknown at this stage.
Several voiced their happiness at the trophy hunter’s death, with one saying it was “karma.”
Another tweeted: Perhaps it was a hit issued by the animal kingdom?”
Perhaps it was a hit issued by the Animal Kingdom?
— Feike (@Feikemanagement) June 9, 2022
And a third wrote: “What goes around…”
Related links:
- Hunter kills 13ft monster alligator as it ‘threatens livestock’
- British big game hunters to be banned from bringing trophies home
- Bizarre time tiger shark vomited a human arm and sparked huge murder inquiry
