‘Mai Jeremaya Reported To ZRP First’ — Detective Kedha Fires Back At Accused’s Extortion Allegations

“Mai Jeremaya Went To The Police First”: Detective Kedha Refutes Accused’s Allegations

Controversial private investigator Tafadzwa Chidawa, popularly known as Detective Kedha, has broken his silence in the ongoing case involving social media figure Mai Jeremaya. Speaking out amid swirling allegations, he firmly denied claims that he was part of a scheme to extort US$500 from the two men accused of raping Mai Jeremaya.

Instead, Detective Kedha insists that he only got involved days after the alleged incident had already been reported to the police.

“She did not report her case to us,” he said on X.
“She reported the case to Police and 3 days later seek [sic] our services to locate and apprehend the accused persons.”

“She went to ZRP first”

The clarification comes after a fierce online debate sparked by questions over why Mai Jeremaya would involve a private investigator if the case had already been reported to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Popular X user @matigary posted:

“Why did she report her case to Tafadzwa Chidawa and not ZRP?”

The post gained traction, with some accusing Chidawa of acting outside legal boundaries. Another user, Tapiwanashe Chiriga, went further, calling out Kedha’s history:

“You might need to familiarise thyself with Data Protection Laws and criminal procedure which you clearly failed to understand all those years before you were fired from the Police Service.”

Chidawa responded in kind:

“I thought you had done some little research before posting why someone may engage a Private Investigator. Unfortunately I won’t be doing that homework for you.”

According to Chidawa, his services were only contracted three days after the case had been lodged with the police, and his role was to assist in locating the accused persons.

Accused men allege extortion, deny rape

The two men at the centre of the case, Thabo Blessing Dube (27) and Martin Charlie (25), claim the incident was consensual. They allege that Mai Jeremaya demanded US$500 after initially agreeing to a US$20 transaction.

Court documents reveal the accused men claim they met Mai Jeremaya at Joina City, agreed to sex for US$20, and proceeded to a lodge in Eastlea. They allege that she willingly undressed, engaged in sexual activity with Charlie, bathed, took the money, and left in a taxi they paid for.

Their statement continues:

“She later sent a private investigator, Detective Kedha, to try and get the money. When we refused, a rape report was then made.”

The defence has alleged that the rape complaint came only after they rejected the US$500 demand.

State questioned over handling of charges

The pair was granted bail of US$200 each on 7 May 2025. However, Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa raised questions over the charges, querying why aggravated indecent assault was not included in the indictment.

“The accused allegedly forced the complainant to give them blow jobs,” the magistrate said.

Prosecutors said they had no strong reason to oppose bail. In their submission, they noted:

“The State does not have any well-founded fears that if released on bail, the two will abscond.”

“They have fixed addresses and no prior convictions.”

The State also added that the same evidence would be used to prove both rape and aggravated indecent assault, rendering charge-splitting unnecessary.

Case attracts national attention

Mai Jeremaya, real name Ashley Masendeke, waived her right to anonymity and publicly named her alleged attackers in a widely circulated video. She received support from fellow influencer Mai TT, with many social media users expressing outrage and solidarity.

As the case develops, public attention remains fixed on both the court proceedings and the online war of words. Whether or not extortion took place remains a question for the courts, but Detective Kedha is adamant: