HARARE – The two men accused of raping popular social media personality Mai Jeremaya allege that the encounter was consensual and that the fallout stemmed from a disagreement over payment after they arranged to sleep together at a lodge in Eastlea.
Thabo Blessing Dube (27) and Martin Charlie (25) were arrested over the weekend and appeared in court on Monday, charged with rape.
Mai Jeremaya, a widely followed online figure, publicly waived her right to anonymity by posting a video on social media detailing her allegations against the two men. Her post has sparked an outpouring of support, particularly from other women and fellow influencers such as Mai TT.
While the State did not oppose the suspects’ bail application, the magistrate questioned this stance and requested a justification. The State responded on Tuesday, submitting its reasons ahead of a bail ruling expected today from Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
The State’s submission also detailed the defense statements made by the accused during initial vetting.
Dube and Charlie have denied the rape allegations. According to their version of events, Dube facilitated a meeting between Charlie and Mai Jeremaya. They claim that Charlie and Mai Jeremaya met in Harare’s central business district at Joina City, where they allegedly agreed to sleep together for a fee of US$20.
The accused state that they proceeded to a lodge in Eastlea, where Charlie and Mai Jeremaya engaged in consensual intercourse. They allege that she was fully aware that the meeting was arranged specifically for the purpose of sleeping together and that she observed and accepted the payment for the lodge accommodation.
They further claim that she undressed herself, initiated physical contact, and willingly slept with Charlie. Dube maintains that he did not engage in any sexual activity with her, despite her allegations to the contrary.
According to the accused, Mai Jeremaya later demanded US$500, far above the agreed US$20. After the encounter, she reportedly took a shower, accepted the $20 from Charlie, and was escorted to a taxi by the two men.
Two days later, the men allege, she sent a private investigator, Tafadzwa “Detective Kedha” Chidawa, as part of what they claim was a scheme to extort money. Chidawa is said to have located them and taken them to Mayambara in Seke. When they refused to pay, a report of rape was filed.
They argue that the rape complaint only arose after they declined to pay the demanded sum.
In its written submissions, the State explained its decision not to oppose bail, stating there were no compelling reasons to detain the suspects before trial. However, Magistrate Gofa questioned why the pair had not also been charged with aggravated indecent assault, given allegations that they forced the complainant to perform oral.
The State conceded the point, noting that the facts could support such a charge, but added:
“Considering that the acts constituting aggravated indecent assault appear to have occurred as part of a single transaction with those constituting rape, and that the dominant intention appears to have been rape, charging the accused with both offences could constitute an unnecessary splitting of charges.”
The State further stated:
“There are no strong and convincing reasons to justify denial of bail. The accused are unlikely to abscond, given they have fixed addresses, no known prior convictions, and no pending cases. They did not show any conduct that would suggest a risk of flight.”
The State proposed that, if granted bail, the two men could be required to surrender their passports to ensure they remain within the court’s jurisdiction.
