Source: IPP Media
The prosecution in the case involving 36 fishermen caught fishing illegally in the country’s territorial waters has closed its case.
Senior State Attorney Biswalo Mganga, who is assisted by Prosper Mwangamila, told Justice Augustine Mwarija that 13 prosecution witnesses testified in the case.
He said since his side found the evidence adduced sufficient to prove the guilt of the accused as charged, they had decided to rest the case.
“Your honor, today we are happy to inform this court that the government side has closed its case because we are satisfied with the testimony given by the 13 witnesses whom we produced,†said Biswalo.
Justice Mwarija said he would invite the defense side, composed of counsel John Mapinduzi and Ibrahim Bendera, to present their overview of the case.
Justice Mwarija also directed the prosecution side to submit their overview orally with regard to whether the accused had a case to answer or not.
According to the charge sheet, the accused are vessel captain Chin Tai Hsu, (61), seamen Jiojwen Chang (34), Jia Yin Zhao (26) Gexi Zhao (36),Zongmin Ma (36), Dong Liu (25) Yongiao Fang Fang (22) Nguyen Tuan (23), all Chinese nationals.
Others are Tran Van Phuong (33), Pham Dinn Suong (31) Tran Van Thanh (23)Cao Vuong (27), Mohamed Kiki (61)Anul Mani (24), Jejen Priyana (22), and Kuntoto Suratno (27).
Other charged seamen are Tusi Ame (25), Ifan Herman Pandi (21), Kristopher Padilla (29), Silvano Garanes (32), Benjamin Jrbaoalan (33), Benjie Rosano (34), Igancio Dacumos (31), Maronon (33),Jhoan Belano (34) Rolando Nacis (35), Ali Ali Mkota (32), Juma Juma Kumu (40), Jackson Sirya (39), Zho Haning (39) Hsu Sheng Pao (35) and Zha Hanquing.
It is alleged that the offence was committed on March 8, 2009 in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
On the second count, it is claimed that Hsu Chintai did erase fishing tracks on the global positioning system (GPS) plotter with the intention to falsify the information on the fishing vessel’s movement and activities.