Two suspects have been joined with 11 others to face charges of breaking into a strong room and stealing therein 63 kilogrammes of tanzanite gemstone worth Shs. 2.4 billion property of TanzaniteOne.

Suspects Omary Mussa (37) resident of Moshono, Arusha Adriano Msuta (56) resident of Sanawari, Arusha were charged before the Resident Magistrate of Manyara, Mr. Rashid Chaungu.

Msuta has been arraigned for fraud offence as he falsified a sick sheet for one of the suspects of the case.

The case was first mentioned in the Court on December 10, last year before Magistrate Chaungu and the charges were read by the State Attorney, Ally Silaha and Inspector of Police Leah Ncheyeki.

He mentioned other suspects as Nicodemus Mwambikwa (42), Emmanuel Ketuta (27) residents of Arusha, Issack Makeseni (47), Mauna Selemani (30) and Tauta Rashid (30) residents of Naisinyai, Simanjiro District.

Others are Yusuph Kateta (31) of Olasiti, ArushaAyubu Ramadhani (30) of Njiro, Arusha, Alex Kiondo (37) of Sekei, Salvatory Mchuro (60) of Arusha, Justin Mshana (60) resident of Arusha and Seraphin Mchombo (60) resident of Arusha.

The suspects pleaded not guilty and they have bailed until January 28, this year when the case will be brought up for the next mention, as the investigation has not been concluded.