Harare magistrate Letwin Rwodzi has ruled that Thabo Blessing Dube, the man accused of raping a woman popularly known as Mai Jeremaya, must answer to the charges brought against him.
This follows the dismissal of Dube’s application for discharge at the close of the State’s case. Magistrate Rwodzi found that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence warranting a defence.
Dube, who took the stand on Thursday, denied the allegations.
In his testimony, he claimed his role was limited to introducing the complainant to another man, identified only as Charlie, for a consensual, paid sexual encounter. He insisted he never entered the lodge where the alleged incident occurred and denied any physical involvement in the alleged rape.
The complainant, however, alleges that both Dube and Charlie sexually assaulted her during the encounter.
Dube’s application for discharge under Section 198 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act was rejected, with the magistrate noting that key elements of the offence had been established by the State to justify continuation of the trial.
The trial is expected to resume on Monday, when further cross-examination and submissions from the defence are anticipated.
