Wendall Parson
Wendall Robert Parson, a professionally trained pilot, born in 1988, was one of the two representatives from Zimbabwe in the Big Brother Amplified, edition 6 of the Big Brother Africa (BBA) competition which is a television reality show. He was rewarded by Robert Mugabe for his endeavours, together with Vimbai Mutinhiri and Stephen Muzhinji. In 2013, he was implicated in a fraud scam, he was however acquitted.
Claim to Fame
Parson rose from obscurity. His selection and participation in the BBA television reality show introduced him into the social scene. His staunch patriotism during the competition made him to be the favourite of many Zimbabweans and others from other nations within Africa.[1]
Parson was one of the co-winners of the competition and he pocketed US$200 000.[2] Upon his arrival, he was further given US$50 000 by Mugabe for flying the Zimbabwean flag to what he referred to as 'unprecedented' levels.[2] Parson became the first Zimbabwean to win the competition since it was launched. It was also rumoured that one of Zimbabwe's business mogul, Phillip Chiyangwa who was said to have collected US$300 000 given to Munyaradzi Chidzonga (former BBA house mate) when he became second in the competition wanted to do the same for Parson.[3] After the competition, he was involved in charity, donating to the less privileged, though this was short lived.[2]
Fraud Charges
In 2013, Parson was arrested. It was reported that he had hatched a plan together with his brother William to defraud Alliance Insurance Pvt Ltd, an insurance company.[4] It was claimed that in April 2013, William was involved in an accident driving Parsons's car and the two handed over false insurance documents in the hope of getting more than US$25 000 for the purported insured vehicle.[4] The two were acquitted.
References
- ↑ Thomas Madhuku, Support Wendall campaign taken to Harare streets, "Dookersworld", published:10 June 2011,retrieved:14 July 2014"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 , BBA's Wendall Parson Donates to charity, "Zim Beat News", published:13 Nov 2011,retrieved:14 July 2014"
- ↑ Jonathan Mbiriyamveka, Big surprise awaits Wendall in Zimbabwe, "Nehanda Radio", published:3 Aug 2011,retrieved:14 July 2014"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Helen Kadirire, 'Wendall submitted false insurance claim', "Daily News", published:10 Sep 2013,retrieved:14 July 2014"
