By Tendai Rupapa
FORMER Big Brother Africa winner Wendall Parson who is accused of fraud involving more than US$20 000 in a car insurance scandal, has a case to answer, a Harare magistrate has ruled. Wendall is jointly charged with his brother William.
The brothers, who are represented by Mr Harrison Nkomo, had made an application for exception to the charges arguing the charge did not disclose an offence. However, magistrate Mr Tayengwa Chibanda yesterday dismissed the application and ruled that the matter should proceed to trial.
Mr Chibanda said that the facts on the indictment disclose an offence and remanded the duo to August 27 for trial. Prosecutor Ms Constance Ngombengombe had opposed the application insisting that the charge against the pair was not defective and they had a case to answer.
Charges against the pair arose on March 16, when William was involved in an accident while driving Wendall’s car, a Ford Ranger. The accident was reported at Borrowdale police station and it is alleged on the day the accident occurred, Wendall’s vehicle was not insured.
It is alleged that after the accident, Wendall connived with his brother and hatched a plan to defraud Alliance Insurance Pvt Ltd. On March 18 William allegedly went to the insurance brokers where he applied for insurance for the Ford Ranger and two other trailers.
He insured the vehicle comprehensively. A few days after insuring the vehicle, it is alleged Wendall filed an insurance claim and attached fraudulent documents purporting that the accident occurred on March 28 when in actual fact it had occurred on March 16.
The insurance company processed the claim and Wendall was to be given US$23 750 for the vehicle. But before he was given the money, the insurance risk department carried out investigations and discovered that the accident had occurred before the car was insured.
