Online Reporter
One of the questions was about how she lost her virginity?
THERE has been outrage on social media sites, on the streets of Harare and on various platforms after DJ Ollah 7 and Mai Jeremaya combined to produce an X-rated show on Tuesday which did not have an age restriction despite its explicit content.
The social media influencer used the podcast to repeat the same allegations, which were dismissed by a Harare magistrate, in which she claimed she was raped by two men – Thabo Blessing Dube and Martin Charlie.
The magistrate ruled that Mai Jeremaya was a willing participant in a sex-for-money scheme.
There has been a very strong reaction, which appears to be nationwide, to Mai Jeremaya’s appearance on Ollah 7’s podcast and how she was prepared to reveal explicit sex content on the show.
Ollah 7 is also being heavily criticised for the way he handled the interview, including some phases where his leading questions kept dragging Mai Jeremaya into a very dark place.
Concern has emerged that Ollah 7’s line of questioning also exposed his lack of proper journalistic skills which demanded him to respect judicial outcomes or, more importantly, how to handle issues, or interviews, with rape survivors or those who claim they survived such brutal attacks.
Ollah 7 is also being hammered for bringing up Mai Jeremaya’s past, which included questioning her about how she lost her virginity, how she was allegedly raped and whether she was still having intercourse with her husband, JMP.
He also asked her the type of manhood she prefers and failed to guide her properly when she claimed Thabo and Martin raped her without protection.
Some of the questions were just outrageous:
“Do you recall when you had your first sexual encounter?”
“Was is it smooth?”
“Are you having it (sex), has (JMP, Mai Jeremaya’s husband) ever asked for it after everything?”
There is concern that this undermines media laws and ethical journalism on trauma-informed reporting.
Media outlets are encouraged to adopt a trauma-informed approach when reporting on sexual violence, acknowledging the potential impact on survivors and avoiding language which could further victimise or stigmatise them.
Days after a court ruled that Mai Jeremaya’s rape allegations against Dube and Charlie were unfounded and marred by inconsistencies, she is in the eye of another storm after her appearance on Ollah 7’s podcast.
In an interview which stretched for two hours 35 minutes, Mai Jeremaya exposed herself by admitting that she grew up as a habitual liar, was unfaithful to her husband and accepts cash gifts from different men, despite her marital status.
“Circumstances when I received money from men are there,” said Mai Jeremaya.
The same Mai Jeremaya had told a court that she told Dube and Charlie to wear condoms.
However, there is concern Mai Jeremaya might be suffering from a compulsive lying disorder, a habit that she admits manifested during her upbringing that even one pastor picked it up and advised her to repent.
Dube and Charlie might be off the hook but the decision to acquit them by Harare magistrate Letwin Rwodzi is subject to an automatic High Court review.
The High Court judge will simply deal with what’s on the record and there is no way this review will include what has been transpiring or said on social media.
The judge must give or withhold his or her certificate for the magistrate’s ruling to bring the matter to its finality.
If the judge finds an anomaly, he or she has the right to order a re-trial either by the same or a new court.
Ollah 7’s interview might not be prejudicial but has consequences in terms of media laws and ethical journalism.
He lacked respect for judicial proceedings which call for media coverage of rape trials to adhere to legal guidelines, including respecting the presumption of innocence of the accused and avoiding sensationalised reporting.
A number of online users felt Ollah 7 was not sensitive to the mental well-being of Mai Jeremaya while some are hammering her for agreeing to have the interview in the first place.
While protecting survivors is paramount, the media also has a role in informing the public and holding perpetrators accountable and this requires reporting on sexual violence cases to be responsible and ethical.
Some are also wondering the impact that Mai Jeremaya’s statements will have on her marriage.
Below are some of the comments from local social media users:
It is deeply disappointing to see a media personality conduct an insensitive interview with Mai J, especially at a time when she needs space and privacy to heal. Losing a rape case, due to lack of evidence, does not equate to justice being served, and it certainly doesn’t give anyone the right to exploit her pain for clicks and likes. Asking invasive questions under the guise of ‘raising awareness’ only adds to the humiliation and trauma survivors already endure. Mai J, like many others, deserves compassion, not public scrutiny, her story is not content for entertainment. – PO Box Reloaded
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To be honest, this same Ollah has shown a pattern of unprofessional behaviour. Back in 2022, shortly after being involved in a road traffic accident, he was quick to jump onto social media even before the police had arrived at the scene to attend to the matter. That kind of impulsive publicity, especially in serious situations, raises questions about his judgment and priorities. – Godwin Mapfudza
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I hear you, mukoma Bhutisi, and I deeply respect the passion behind your words. But just to clarify, it was actually Mai J who requested the interview. DJ Ola didn’t ambush her or force the conversation, he simply provided the platform she asked for. Of course, the line between storytelling and sensationalism is thin, and we must all be careful not to cross it but should DJ Ola have refused when Mai J herself wanted to speak? That’s the nuance we can’t ignore. – Lameck Makula
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Thank you, Sir for this. The questions which were being asked by Ola were very sensitive and he kept on asking and pushing her to answer some questions which were not necessary. That’s why you see many cases of GBV are not reported because of fear of shame. For God’s sake, please allow Ashley to heal. What she went through, I could not wish anyone to go through that. May we be more sensitive in our approach. – Winnet Banda
