Two men accused of raping socialite Ashley Masendeke, popularly known as “Mai Jeremeya,” were granted bail of US$200 each by Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa. The magistrate ruled that the State had not presented any compelling reason to suggest the accused were flight risks.
Thabo Blessing Dube and Martin Charlie will return to court on June 5 as police complete their investigations. The State did not oppose the bail application, despite the serious nature of the charges.
Dube has denied the rape allegation outright, while Charlie maintains that the sexual encounter was consensual and arranged for a US$20 fee. He claims the complainant later attempted to renegotiate the payment to US$500 after the act.
The State alleges that the dispute over payment is at the center of the fallout, but insists that the matter remains under active investigation. The case has sparked public attention due to Masendeke’s high social media profile.
