Confused:

The day after the hunt, it is believed Mr Bronkhorst went to the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and reported the hunt.

Park authorities confirmed that a valid license was held but that it did not specify where the hunting of the lion could take place.

Using a bow and arrow to hunt animals is allowed in Zimbabwe as long an hunting permit is held.

The permit specifies that the hunting of animals inside a national park or government-run safari area is illegal.

An early statement issued by the Zimbabwean Parks Authority said: 'Theo Bronkhorst, a professional hunter with Bushman Safaris, is facing criminal charges for allegedly killing a collared lion on Antoinette farm in Gwayi Conservancy, Hwange district on 1 July 2015.

'Both the professional hunter and land owner had no permit or quota to justify the offtake of the lion and therefore are liable for the illegal hunt.'

***
Rodrigues says the following, though IMO per past history he is not a reputable or credible person so his comments need to be considered in that light (IMO):

Johnny Rodrigues, of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF), said: 'They went hunting at night with a spotlight and they spotted Cecil.

'They tied a dead animal to their vehicle to lure Cecil out of the park and they scented an area about half a kilometre from the park.'

Rodrigues revealed that Palmer shot his bow and arrow at Cecil, but failed to kill him and that they stalked the wounded and stricken lion before finally shooting him dead with a gun and beheading him.

***

However IF they used of the spotlight and IF they went into the Park may be a reason for the charges against them.

Note it is common for people doing game drives to use a spotlight in Hwange. Using one to spot game however would not be ethnical. Illegal or not in the circumstances, I have no idea.