Prosecution tenders in Zanzibar court charge sheet for sunken MV Spice Islanders’ case

By Masoud Sanani.

The prosecution side yesterday (15/05/2013) presented in the High Court of Zanzibar the charge sheet for a case on the capsized MV Spice Islanders.

The vessel sank off Zanzibar port near Nungwi in September 2011, killing 2,740 people. About 941 survived the marine disaster.

The charge sheet gives details about offences that eleven people accused in the case face, including negligence that caused deaths.

Zanzibar Chief Justice, Mr Omar Othman Makungu, who is presiding over the case received it yesterday.

The public prosecutor from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Zanzibar, Mr Ramadhan Nasibu, also revealed the intention of his office to submit a notice requesting that suspects release some exhibits that are important for the prosecution of the case.

The prosecution plans to bring to court 27 witnesses and eleven exhibits in the case. All suspects are charged with manslaughter.

The lawyer for the accused, Mr Himidi Mbwelezeni, asked for more time to study the statement.

The case was adjourned until June 4, this year.

The accused in the case include Said Abdallah Kinganyiti, 58, Abdalla Mohamed Ali, 30, Yusuf Sleiman Issa, 47, Haji Vuai Usi, 53, Abdalla Moh’d Abdalla, 46, and Juma Seif Juma, 55.

Others are: Hassan Mussa Mwinyi, 50, Shaibu Said Mohammed, 39, Salim Said Mohammed, 37, Makame Hasnuu Makame and Jaku Hashim Ayoub.

Source: http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/News/-/1840392/1855152/-/ewy5qgz/-/index.html