The trial of professional Zimbabwean hunter Theo Bronkhorst, who led the expedition that killed Cecil the lion, is due to start Monday but his lawyers say they will attempt to have the case thrown out of court.
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On July 1, 2015 dentist Walker Palmer killed Cecil during what the party claims was a legal hunt for an adult lion. He told reporters he believed he had the right permits and did not break the law. “We are ready for the trial on Monday”.
Bronkhorst’s lawyer, Advocate Perpetua Dube made the application for exception basing her argument on the fact that the charge laid against her client is not only unclear, but does not constitute a chargeable offence in terms of Section 180 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
The court will now rule on October 15 whether the trial will go ahead, or whether it should be referred to the highest court.
Bronkhorst however maintains that he believes in the sustainable use of wildlife and is satisfied with the manner in which the court is handling the matter.
The state-run chronicle is reporting that Bronkhorst is now facing yet another charge to do with illegally breeding sable antelope.
Bronkhorst faces a $20,000 fine and up to 10 years in jail if convicted.
In an apparent reference to a July statement by Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri, Dube said: “There have been several violations that we’ve cited in the application”. Palmer would have to be charged before he could be extradited and Zimbabwe has not done this.
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He has denied the charges.
