By Staff Reporter
MOKOPANE-An avid hunter of endangered animals was shot dead after his truck broke down in Mokopane.
Riaan Naude, 55, was the owner and founder of Pro Hunt Africa, a tour group that facilitates paid wildlife hunting trips in the country’s north eastern province of Limpopo.
The incident happened in broad daylight along R518 on the Marken road next to Sekgobela farm, outside Mokopane, on June 8..
A Limpopo police representative told reporters that Naude was found by police on Monday “lying with his face up” with “blood on his head and face,” according to a police spokesperson.
“The deceased was carrying two hunting firearms, clothes, water, whiskey, sleeping clothes and many live rounds like he was going hunting and camping somewhere around Sterkrevier, as there are many game farms with wild animals in the area,” Lt. Col. Mamphaswa Seabi said
Reports said Naude was shot when he pulled to the side of the road while experiencing vehicle troubles. A nearby cattle herder reportedly heard the gunshot and witnessed a truck speeding away.
A glance at Naude’s Instagram feed shows the hunter and others posing alongside large dead animals, including lions,elephants and giraffes.
Trophy hunting — despite its controversy — is legal in South Africa. In fact, the country recently upped its kill quotas for 2022, to allow for killing 10 leopards, 150 elephants and 10 black rhinoceros.
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Seabi told reporters they are still trying to track down a reason for Naude’s killing.
“The motive for the attack and the subsequent murder is unknown at this stage,” he said, adding they have not linked the murder to Naude’s affinity for trophy hunting.
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He said there was no arrest yet and further investigations were under way.
“Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects may contact Mahwelereng Detective-Commander Captain Mallela on 0716783305.”
