Mai Jeremaya Rape Case: Accused Granted Bail

Zim Now Writer

The sexual assault case involving popular social media personality Mai Jeremaya hit a surprising twist on Wednesday, after the State consented to bail for the two accused men—Thabo Blessing Dube ,27, and Martin Charlie ,25. The Harare Magistrates Court remanded the pair out of custody to June 5, 2025.

This development is unusual in Zimbabwe’s justice system. Rape is classified as a Third Schedule offense, meaning bail applications are typically referred to the High Court, and suspects often spend weeks in remand prison while awaiting hearings. In such cases, the burden rests on the accused to justify why bail should be granted.

However, in a rare departure from that protocol, the magistrates court granted bail at the lower level. Kukurigo could not verify how the charge of rape was maintained while bypassing the High Court’s usual jurisdiction.

The State defended its decision not to oppose bail, citing that both accused have fixed addresses, no prior convictions, and pose no flight risk.

“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,” prosecutors said. “They do not have any known previous convictions or pending cases... and they did not exhibit any conduct from which any inclination to abscond can be inferred.”

The State also expressed willingness to impose stringent bail conditions, including the surrender of passports.

Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, however, questioned the scope of the charges, noting that the allegations included oral sex forced on the complainant—grounds that could warrant additional charges of aggravated indecent assault.

Prosecutors acknowledged the issue but argued against splitting charges, stating: “The acts constituting aggravated indecent assault appear to have taken place in a single transaction with those constituting rape. The dominant intention appears to have been rape, and the same evidence will be used to prove both charges.”

Mai Jeremaya, who commands a large online following, appeared to waive her right to anonymity by publicly posting a video describing the alleged assault.

While the State had initially consented to bail, Magistrate Gofa requested a more detailed justification. In response, prosecutors also disclosed the accused men’s version of events, as presented during initial vetting.

The men deny any wrongdoing, claiming the encounter was consensual and prearranged. They allege that Charlie met Mai Jeremaya at Joina City Mall, and the two went to a lodge in Eastlea where she willingly engaged in sexual activity. Dube, they argue, merely facilitated the meeting and did not participate sexually.

The defense further claims that following the encounter, Mai Jeremaya demanded US$500 instead of the agreed US$20. When the men refused, she allegedly sent a private investigator—identified as Tafadzwa “Detective Kedha” Chidawa—to extort payment. The rape report, they claim, was filed only after the men declined to pay the inflated amount.