HARARE – Social media personality Ashley Masendeke, popularly known as Mai Jeremaya, gave a harrowing account of her alleged sexual assault at the hands of two men, stating that she pleaded for them to use protection before they forced themselves on her.
Testifying before the Harare Magistrates’ Court, Masendeke recounted the events of the night she says changed her life forever.
The accused, Thabo Blessing Dube (27) and Martin Charlie (25), are facing rape charges stemming from an incident in May. Both men have denied the allegations.
Masendeke told the court that she had been lured to a lodge in Harare under the pretense of shooting an advert for a local driving school.
“On April 9, I received a call from Dube, who claimed to be from Elite Driving School,” she said.
“He wanted me to shoot an advert, but never showed up for our initial meeting as I was with my husband.”
Weeks later, on April 30, Masendeke followed up on the arrangement.
“When I got into town, I contacted Sam [a supposed associate of Dube] for directions, stressing that I didn’t have money to get back home,” she explained.
“He gave me another number to call, saying his driver would pick me up. Eventually, Charlie arrived.”
To her shock, instead of being taken to a studio or office, she was driven to a lodge.
“I was surprised to see a bed in the so-called ‘office’. That’s when they locked the door. When I started crying, Dube warned me that it would anger Charlie,” she testified.
She told the court that in a moment of fear and confusion, she pleaded for protection.
“I demanded that he use condoms. I was scared. When Charlie started undressing, I took off my dress but kept my bra and socks on. He fondled me, and eventually I removed the rest of my clothes. He raped me before Dube came in and joined,” she said.
Masendeke, a mother of three, said the incident has left her deeply traumatised and shaken her marriage.
“I don’t believe I consented. I acted out of fear and coercion. If I had wanted to engage in sexual activity, it would have been with Sam, not these boys. I didn’t want to be embarrassed. I have a public profile, and I was scared.
“He told me he had access to classified information, that he could find me anywhere. He shared chilling stories.”
She added: “The aftermath was unbearable. I had to take medication that made me ill, I developed anxiety, and I can’t sleep. My marriage was already rocky, and this incident destroyed it completely. I’ve been humiliated.”
The matter continues before the courts.
