The case involving socialite Maiguru Mai Jeremaya has taken a dramatic turn, with the two men accused of her rape claiming that the encounter was consensual and stemmed from a disagreement over payment. Thabo Blessing Dube, 27, and Martin Charlie, 25, who were arrested and appeared in court on Monday, now allege that Mai Jeremaya demanded US$500 instead of the agreed-upon US$20 for sexual intercourse at a lodge in Eastlea, Harare.
Mai Jeremaya, known for her comedic skits and vibrant social media presence, bravely waived her right to anonymity by publicly sharing her harrowing account of the alleged rape. Her decision has garnered widespread support from fellow women, including fellow social media personalities such as Mai TT.
The State initially did not oppose bail for Dube and Charlie, a move that was challenged by the magistrate, prompting the State to justify its position. Yesterday, the State filed its response ahead of a ruling by magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa today.
The accused claim that the two then proceeded to a lodge in Eastlea, where Charlie engaged in consensual sexual intercourse with Mai Jeremaya. They insist that Mai Jeremaya was fully aware that their presence at the lodge was for the purpose of sexual intercourse in exchange for an agreed-upon fee, and that she even witnessed the facilitation and payment for the accommodation.
They further claim that she willingly removed her clothes, kissed Charlie, and engaged in sexual intercourse with him. Dube maintains that he did not have any sexual contact with Mai Jeremaya, contrary to her claims.
According to the accused, the dispute arose after the sexual act when Mai Jeremaya allegedly demanded US$500 instead of the US$20 that Charlie had offered. They claim that after the encounter, Mai Jeremaya even took a shower, accepted the US$20 from Charlie, and was accompanied to a taxi by the two men.
Two days later, the accused allege that Mai Jeremaya dispatched private investigator Tafadzwa “Detective Kedha” Chidawa as part of a criminal mission to allegedly extort funds from them. They claim that Chidawa located them and took them to Mayambara in Seke. The accused say that when they refused to pay the demanded amount, Mai Jeremaya then made a report of rape.
In its submissions, the State justified its consent to bail, stating that it had no compelling reasons to warrant the pre-trial detention of the two suspects. Magistrate Gofa rejected the consent and questioned why the duo wasn’t also charged with aggravated indecent assault as they are alleged to have forced the complainant to give them blow jobs.
The State agreed that the court raised important issues and submitted that the facts suggest that charges of aggravated indecent assault could have been preferred against the accused.
“It is, however, submitted that considering that the acts constituting aggravated indecent assault appear to have taken place in a single transaction with those acts constituting rape. It also appears that the dominant intention was rape. It is also worth noting that the same evidence will be used to prove the acts constituting rape and those constituting aggravated indecent assault. In the result, charging the accused with both rape and aggravated indecent assault may be an unnecessary splitting of charges.”
The State maintained that there were no compelling reasons to refuse the duo bail. “It is the State’s view that such forceful and convincing reasons, which will make the court feel very strongly that the accused should not be released on bail, do not exist. The State does not have any well-founded fears that if released on bail, the two will abscond and not attend their trial, they are of fixed abode shown by their residential addresses on the face of the Request for Remand form. They do not have any known previous convictions or pending cases before the criminal courts and they did not exhibit any conduct from which any inclination to abscond can be inferred. The State is satisfied that the accused persons are sufficiently tied to the jurisdiction of the court and may be ordered to surrender their passports.”
This case first broke out when Maiguru Mai Jeremaya came forward with harrowing details of the alleged rape, claiming that she was lured and violated by two men under false pretenses. The victim, known for her comedic skits and vibrant social media presence, claims the men had been stalking her for three weeks, feigning interest in her advertising services.
According to her statement, the two men initially contacted her claiming to be representatives from Elite Driving School, seeking her expertise in advertising. Mai Jeremaya narrated on her Facebook page that at first they said they were from Elite Driving School and asked for her services for advertising. She told them her charges and they requested for an appointment.
After an initial meeting that yielded no business, the men allegedly contacted her again on April 30th, this time claiming to be from a truck spares company and requesting her presence at an office in Eastlea, a suburb of Harare. Tragically, upon arrival at the location, the victim alleges she was ambushed.
She wrote in a statement that they ushered her in, and as she turned to see a bed in what was supposed to be an office, one of them blocked the door. Mai Jeremiah further wrote that the other man, who she knows as Thabo, entered through another door at the front, locked it, and they both took turns to rape her while threatening to kill her.
The victim has since reported the crime to the police and received medical attention at Edith Clinic in Mbare, a high-density suburb of Harare. The suspects allegedly threatened her by claiming connections to high offices and possessing her birth records.
In response to the alleged crime, Maiguru Mai Jeremiah has engaged private investigators, Tafadzwa Chidawa and Clarah Manyepera, to assist in apprehending the perpetrators. The involvement of private investigators highlights the victim’s determination to seek justice and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.
This appeal for other potential victims to come forward underscores the potential scale of the alleged crimes and the need for a thorough investigation. The victim’s willingness to speak out, despite the trauma she has endured, is a testament to her courage and her desire to prevent others from suffering the same fate.
Prominent private investigator, Tafadzwa Chidawa, has stated that his company has since tracked and effected the arrest of the alleged culprits. In one post he said that “Vakomana vaidya zvekubvuta uye zvekuwirirana futi,” which, translated from Shona, suggests that the men were involved in both forced and consensual sexual encounters. He added that full details will come at the right time and that a number of victims have already come forward.
In another post, he also said: “Haaaa vakomana vanga vachidya vanhu vevanhu patown, I think vakutodarika uye weku Guinea 🙌🙌. The list is too big🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌In God we Trust, In Matrix we get the job done,” suggesting that the men may have victimised a large number of people.
Chidawa further stated that there are women coming through with their testimonies of the violence they went through at the hands of Thabho this man. He thanked his family, friends and colleagues for their support and stated that he will be live in the afternoon, not sure what time, to ensure that the court has a full picture of the case.
He added that they intimidated him with fear but he is coming to the public. He pleaded with the public to watch out for him and stated that he will not die but live to proclaim the glory of God. He reiterated that his previous post has numbers to call and contact and urged potential victims to open up even anonymously, stating that this beast should not see the sun, no matter what.
Fellow comedian and socialite Nijo wrote that this is so heartbreaking and that she is so sorry Maiguru Mai Jeremaya for the ordeal you went through. She prayed that she may find complete healing and that swift justice is served to the criminals.
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