Cecil the Lion killer's trial set for October 15

The trial of Theodor Bronkhorst, who is being accused of failing to prevent an illegal hunt that led to the killing of Cecil the Lion, will now begin on the 15th of October.

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.

She also used Section 175 of the same Act to file an application for referral to the Constitutional Court and all relevant documents to substantiate the application will be submitted to the Hwange Magistrates Court by Friday this week.

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.

"I don't understand it fully so I don't really have a comment, just to say that I still believe in the sustainable use of wildlife and believe that at the end of the day wildlife must be the winner," he said.

Asked to explain the implications of the application, Dube referred journalists to the copies of the application.

"No comments. The court will decide. The application is on record. It's on record, you can take it, read it and make of it what you wish to make of it," she said.

Five State witnesses who include the farm owner Honest Ndlovu as well as Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Manager for Hwange Main Camp, Mr Trumber Jura, were requested to avail themselves for the trial on the 15th October.