Explosive Mai Jeremaya rape trial opens as suspects plead not guilty

Zvikomborero Parafini

The rape trial involving social media influencer Mai Jeremaya opened in Harare yesterday with her alleged assailants pleading not guilty.

The duo accused of raping her, Thabo Blessing Dube and Martin Charlie, denied the allegations before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Letwin Rwodzi.

In their defence, the duo told the court that Mai Jeremaya, was the one who initiated the meeting via a text message to Charlie and denied the State’s claim that they contacted her first.

They told the court that upon getting in the central business district, Mai Jeremaya was picked up by Charlie and proceeded to Eastlea, where they picked up Dube and his girlfriend.

The group returned to town to drop off Dube’s girlfriend and while in town, Charlie went to buy lunch, leaving Dube and Mai Jeremaya in the car.

The two claimed that while he was away, she got a chance to speak privately with Dube, that was when she allegedly revealed that she had recently separated from her husband and was desperate for money.

They told the court that she complemented Charlie’s car, a double cab and his iPhone, describing him as well off, before she proposed an hour of consensual sex for a fee of US$20.

Dube told the court that he conveyed the message to Charlie and the parties agreed to engage in consensual sexual activity at a lodge for US$20.

Charlie said he drove to the lodge and Mai Jeremaya demanded an advance payment, which was given.

The two added that after the act, Mai Jeremaya allegedly demanded US$500, claiming she had given Charlie some “extras”.

However, it is alleged that Charlie told her he couldn’t afford such an amount and Mai Jeremaya allegedly reduced it to US$300, which he again said was on the higher side.

Later, it is alleged that Mai Jeremaya engaged a controversial private investigator, Tafadzwa Chidawa, who kidnapped them and their parents, demanding US$500, which they refused to pay.

The two suspects claimed the that the rape allegations stemmed from the failed extortion attempt by Mai Jeremaya.

The State, represented by Ms Cecilia Mashingaidze, opened its case by leading evidence from Mai Jeremaya, who insisted that the two took turns to rape her.

The trial resumes on June 17.