By Court Correspondent
Harare – Social media personality Ashley Masendeke, popularly known as Mai Jeremaya, delivered a harrowing testimony at the Harare Magistrates’ Court, where she alleged she was sexually assaulted by two men.
She told the court she pleaded for them to use protection before they forced themselves on her.
Masendeke testified that the alleged assault, which has left her traumatised and severely impacted her personal life, occurred under false pretences after she was invited to shoot a commercial.
The accused, Thabo Blessing Dube (27) and Martin Charlie (25), face rape charges in connection with the incident, which is alleged to have taken place in April. Both men deny the allegations.
Masendeke told the court she had been contacted by Dube, who introduced himself as a representative of 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 said she followed up on the proposed 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.”
Instead of being taken to a legitimate business location, Masendeke was driven to a lodge, something she described as immediately suspicious.
“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 told the court.
She recounted how, in a state of fear and confusion, she pleaded for the use of 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, stated the incident has left her emotionally shattered and strained 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 case is ongoing.
