Wildlife Trophy Hunter Killed In South Africa After Being Shot 'Execution Style'

A man who took joy in hunting endangered animals in Africa has been found dead after his truck broke down, according to local news reports.

Riaan Naude, the 55-year-old man behind a company called Pro Hunt Africa, was found dead next to his car in Limpopo, South Africa.

South African Police Service spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mamphaswa Seabi confirmed Naude's death to local media.

"The man was lying with his face up and there was blood on his head and face," he told South African publication Maroela Media.

"Police found two hunting rifles, ammunition, clothes, water, whiskey, and pyjamas in the deceased's [truck]. It looks like he was on his way to go hunting."

Seabi added: "The motive for the attack and the subsequent murder is unknown at this stage."

According a report by the Mirror, a white truck stopped next to the Naude and shot the hunter execution-style, the head at a close distance.

A nearby cattle herder heard a gunshot and witnessed a white Nissan truck speeding away, as per the New York Post.

The Heritage Protection Group, a not-for-profit group against rhino poaching, claimed that authorities are now looking for two suspects that were involved in the hunter’s murder.

"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 said, as per Metro.

"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."

Despite the Naude's brutal death, social media accounts for his business, Pro Hunt Africa, have been flooded with commenters gloating over the fact the hunter became the hunted.

One user said: "Karma's a b***h."

A second added: "Stuff him and hang him on the wall, say cheese."

A third simply branded him a 'sadist'.

Naude styled Pro Hunt Africa as a 'hunting and eco safari outfit' that was located in northern South Africa and worked across across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. 

Their website claims they specialise in 'dangerous game and plains game hunting safaris with an emphasis on quality'.

According to Pro Hunt Africa’s price list, the business charges $350 ($AUD 508, £289) per day to hunt game, $2,500 ($AUD 3,634, £2,064) to hunt crocodiles and $1,500 ($AUD 2,180, £1,238) to kill a giraffe.