Suspect in Cecil case held over plan to export antelopes

THEO BRONKHORST, accused of arranging the hunt in which Cecil the lion was shot dead near the Hwange National Park in July, was arrested early yesterday and accused by police in Zimbabwe of attempting to illegally export 29 sable antelopes to South Africa.

Bronkhorst, 52, was arrested as he reported to police in Bulawayo as part of his bail conditions ahead of his trial in the Cecil case. He told his lawyers that he had imported a particular bloodline of the antelopes into Zimbabwe from Zambia because they had longer-than-usual horns, and are favoured by international hunters.

South African game farmers also wanted some of the antelopes Bronkhorst had found, so he secured deal with Zambian exporters for both himself and the South Africans.

The animals arrived in Zimbabwe last month as the Cecil story hit the world’s headlines.

One of Bronkhorst’s friends in Bulawayo, who asked not to be identified, said: “Theo Bronkhorst’s sable were, and still are being held at his place in Matetsi (northern Zimbabwe). As far as I know, the sable for the South African game farmers were held somewhere else in Zimbabwe.

“The confusion may hare arisen because all the sable were imported into Zimbabwe from Zambia under Theo’s name.”

According to Zimbabwean police, Edwin Hewitt, 49, Hendricks Blignaut, 41, and John Pretorius, 49, from Bela Bela in the Limpopo, were arrested last week in connection with Bronkhorst’s case.

“The South Africans had no permits for the sables. The only documentation they had was a movement permit issued by the Department of Veterinary Services,” said Caroline WashayaMoyo, for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. According to wildlife sources, the animals are in a boma near the Beit Bridge border post.

Meanwhile, Bronkhorst is due to be tried on September 28 for his involvement in the Cecil case. He has denied charges brought against him.