HARARE – One of the men accused of gang-raping popular social media personality Mai Jeremaya has denied the charge, claiming in court that their encounter was both consensual and transactional. Martin Charlie, appearing before a Harare magistrate on Monday, June 30, 2025, insisted that the intimate act was agreed upon for a fee and took place without any form of coercion or violence.
Charlie told the court that Mai Jeremaya willingly engaged in sexual activity with him after the two met in central Harare. He claimed that she openly offered sexual services in exchange for payment and that they had agreed to a price before proceeding to a nearby lodge. “She told me she charged US$20 per hour,” Charlie said, “and we agreed to go to Paradise Lodge along Frank Johnson Avenue.”
According to Charlie, the two met when he offered her a lift while driving through the Harare CBD. He said they briefly stopped at Joina City, where their conversation turned transactional. He alleged that it was at that point she disclosed her rates and confirmed her willingness to go to a lodge with him.
Charlie categorically denied the prosecution’s claims that he and co-accused Thabo Dube had planned to lure Mai Jeremaya under the pretext of a professional photo shoot. “There was never any talk of photography,” he told the court. “The arrangement was clear. We were going to the lodge for a consensual encounter. There was no deceit or coercion.”
He further stated that the atmosphere during their car ride was friendly and relaxed, with all parties laughing and enjoying music. “There were no signs of discomfort or fear,” Charlie testified. “Everything that happened was by mutual agreement. She was not under any form of pressure.”
In a startling detail, Charlie claimed that Mai Jeremaya even complimented him after their encounter, allegedly telling him he was more satisfying in bed than her husband. The comment, he said, came as part of casual post-encounter conversation and further reinforced his belief that their interaction was entirely consensual.
Regarding the presence of his co-accused, Thabo Dube, Charlie distanced Dube from the situation. He stated that he alone had arranged the meeting with Mai Jeremaya and that Dube was not involved in any discussions or activities that took place at the lodge. “Thabo never entered the lodge,” Charlie claimed. “I went in alone because I was the one who had agreed to the transaction.”
Charlie’s testimony contrasts sharply with Mai Jeremaya’s account, in which she alleges that she was misled, intimidated, and later raped by both men. According to the prosecution, the influencer was led to believe she was being taken to a professional photo shoot, only to be driven to a lodge where the assault occurred. The state argues that both Charlie and Dube acted in concert and are equally responsible for what it categorizes as a premeditated act of sexual violence.
Mai Jeremaya Rape Accusation: Martin Charlie Claims Encounter Was Consensual and Paid
The case has generated intense public interest, not only because of Mai Jeremaya’s popularity on social media but also due to the sensitive nature of the allegations and the high-profile status of the accused. Outside the courtroom, reactions have been mixed, with some supporters of the accused insisting on their innocence while others call for justice to be served without prejudice.
Women’s rights organisations and anti-rape advocacy groups have urged the court to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves, warning against victim-blaming and the dangers of undermining survivors’ testimonies.
Meanwhile, the presiding magistrate has called for a thorough and impartial examination of all evidence, cautioning both the defence and prosecution against making statements that could interfere with the integrity of the trial. “This court is committed to delivering justice based on facts and legal standards,” the magistrate said.
The trial continues this week, with more witnesses expected to take the stand. The court has yet to rule on the admissibility of certain key pieces of evidence, which could shape the direction of the proceedings. As the case unfolds, the nation watches closely, awaiting a verdict in one of the most high-profile sexual assault trials in recent memory.
Source- iHarare
