This was done because Sabelo Maphungla, 28, was in a critical condition in hospital, said Lt-Col Leonard Hlathi.

Charges of trespassing and illegal game hunting against an Mpumalanga man were temporarily withdrawn by the Malelane Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, police said.

This was done because Sabelo Maphungla, 28, was in a critical condition in hospital, said Lt-Col Leonard Hlathi.

Maphungla was shot in the head in September while driving a bakkie in the Mauricedale game reserve, he said.

His passengers Siso Nkhosi, 28, and Jabo Dlamini, 38, were charged with trespassing, illegal game hunting and possession of game.

They appeared in court on Wednesday, when the case was postponed to December 11 for further investigation.

Richard Hume, 31, the son of rhino and buffalo breeder John Hume, has been charged with the attempted murder of Maphungla.

He was arrested in September and was out on bail, said Hlathi. He would appear again in the Malelane Magistrate's Court on January 8.