Two men accused of raping Zimbabwean social media personality Mai Jeremaya have been granted bail, sparking debate over the handling of the case.
Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa on Wednesday granted bail to Thabo Blessing Dube (27) and Martin Charlie (25), following court submissions in which the pair claimed they had hired Mai Jeremaya for sex in a consensual transaction. The court ruled that their defence was plausible and that there were no indications they would flee or interfere with the judicial process.
The accused were released on US$200 bail each, under strict conditions including:
No interference with State witnesses
Residing at their stated addresses
Weekly reporting at ZRP Fife Avenue
Timeline of Events
According to the State’s case, the incident occurred on April 30, 2025, after Charlie allegedly contacted Mai Jeremaya via WhatsApp and arranged to meet her. The two met at Megawatt, along Samora Machel Avenue in central Harare, before driving to 15 Frank Johnson Avenue in Eastlea, the site of Paradise Guest Lodge, where the alleged assault took place.
The State alleges that once inside the lodge, Mai Jeremaya was led into a room where she was surprised to find a bed. When she attempted to leave, she discovered that Charlie had locked the door. It is alleged that Dube then entered, and the two men took turns raping her.
Controversy in Court
In a surprising development, the State did not oppose bail, stating that it lacked sufficient grounds to argue for the pre-trial detention of the suspects. This drew concern from Magistrate Gofa, who questioned why the men were not also charged with aggravated indecent assault, as the complaint included allegations of being forced to perform oral sex.
The State acknowledged the magistrate’s concerns, conceding that the facts could indeed warrant more serious charges.
Mai Jeremaya Breaks Silence
Mai Jeremaya, who waived her right to anonymity, posted a now-viral video on social media detailing her traumatic experience. Her decision to speak publicly has drawn widespread attention and support, but also ignited conversations about the treatment of rape survivors in Zimbabwe’s justice system.
The case has also cast a shadow over Paradise Guest Lodge, which markets itself as a discreet accommodation venue. The establishment has since become a focal point in the case, with questions raised about its role in enabling the alleged crime.
What’s Next?
Both Dube and Charlie are set to return to court for trial. Meanwhile, advocacy groups and social media users continue to call for justice for Mai Jeremaya, demanding transparency, a thorough investigation, and a fair trial.
Source – Hmetro
