Prosecutors have outlined why they are not contesting the release of Thabo Blessing Dube (27) and Martin Charlie (25), the two men accused of raping socialite Mai Jeremaya.
The duo was arrested over the weekend and appeared before the court on Monday, 5 May, facing rape charges. However, during their bail hearing, the presiding magistrate, Marewanazvo Gofa, questioned the State’s decision not to oppose bail and demanded a formal explanation.
On Tuesday, 6 May, the prosecution submitted its reasoning, including a summary of the accused’s denial of the charges during preliminary vetting.
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In its court filings, the State argued there were no compelling grounds to keep the two in custody while they await trial. It emphasised that neither Dube nor Charlie posed a flight risk or were likely to interfere with the investigation or court proceedings.
“It is the State’s view that such forceful and convincing reasons, which would make the court feel very strongly that the accused should not be released on bail, do not exist,” the submission stated.
Accused Not Considered Flight Risks
The prosecution noted that both accused have fixed addresses and permanent homes, which minimizes the risk of them fleeing.
“The State does not have any well-founded fears that, if released on bail, the two will abscond. Their fixed abodes are indicated on the Request for Remand forms,” the documents added.
Clean Records and Ties to Jurisdiction for Mai Jeremaya Rape Accused
Further strengthening their case, the State highlighted that neither of the men has a prior criminal record or any pending cases in the courts.
As a precaution, prosecutors recommended that the court order the surrender of their passports should bail be granted.
“They have no known prior convictions or pending matters, nor have they exhibited any behaviour suggesting an intention to abscond. The State is satisfied that the accused are sufficiently tied to the court’s jurisdiction,” the filing concluded.
Magistrate Gofa is expected to issue a ruling on the bail application in the Mai Jeremaya case after reviewing the State’s submissions.
Source – iHarare
