Prosecutors explained why they brought only rape charges against two men accused of attacking socialite Mai Jeremaya. The court asked them about missing aggravated indecent assault charges despite claims that the men forced oral sex acts. Thabo Blessing Dube, 27, and Martin Charlie, 25, came before the court Monday after weekend arrests.
The state agreed oral acts could qualify as aggravated indecent assault, but argued everything happened during one event. They said the main aim seemed to be rape, making it logical to treat all acts as a single offense. Adding more charges would make the case harder to handle, prosecutors told Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa. The same evidence would prove both crimes, they noted. They believed separate charges would needlessly split what should remain one case.
The state agreed oral acts could qualify as aggravated indecent assault, but argued everything happened during one event. They said the main aim seemed to be rape, making it logical to treat all acts as a single offense. Adding more charges would make the case harder to handle, prosecutors told Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa. The same evidence would prove both crimes, they noted. They believed separate charges would needlessly split what should remain one case.
