Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
FORMER Big Brother Africa reality TV show winner Wendall Parson has instituted a US$516 000 lawsuit against an insurance firm after it pressed criminal charges against him over an alleged US$20 000 car insurance fraud. According to papers filed with the High Court, Wendall cited Siphathisiwe Sibanda and Alliance Insurance Company (Private) Limited as respondents.

The claim comes after Wendall was charged with fraud for allegedly claiming insurance cover over damages of his vehicle in a road accident.

In his claim, Wendall told the court that Sibanda acted maliciously by reporting the matter to the police, leading to his three-day detention and prosecution.

“The statement made to the police led to the publication of those false allegations on both national and international TV stations, radios, newspapers and online publications,” Wendall said.

He further claims that the police report was “false and defamatory” meant to portray him as a dishonest man.
As a result of the defendant’s action, said Wendall, he suffered excruciating pain while in detention, extreme physiological trauma and incurred huge legal costs defending the matter.

Wendall is demanding a total of US$516 000 for defamation and a further US$28 750 for the insurance of his accident damaged vehicle which panel beaters declared a write-off.

The former Big Brother Star who was jointly charged with his brother William were acquitted after Harare magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo ruled that the State failed to prove a case against him.

Mr Makomo said evidence presented before the court through State witnesses and 18 documentary exhibits did not establish enough grounds to sustain a conviction.

He said evidence before the court proved that Wendall’s vehicle had insurance cover, expiring on July 8 this year and Alliance Insurance company had not informed him of the cancellation prior to his arrest.

The company only informed him formally about the cancellation after he had been arrested.
The State had accused Wendall and his brother of claiming payment for a Ford Ranger and two other trailers allegedly insured after an accident in March this year.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey