Convicted fraudster J Arthur Brown released on parole

Brown’s on parole is effective from Thursday.

Brown was serving a 15-year jail term at the Voorberg Prison in Stellenbosch.

He was sentenced in 2014 for the theft of R1.4 billion in pension funds from widows and orphans administered by his firm Fidentia.

Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says the decision was taken in line with normal parole procedures.

“Classified as a first time offender with a positive support system, Brown’s parole placement is in line with Section 73 of the Correctional Services Act. The act determines the minimum period of sentence that must be served before consideration may be given for possible parole placement.

“The minimum detention period for Brown was 2 August 2019 but he could not be placed on parole at the time as there was a need for further profiling.”

Nxumalo says Brown has taken responsibility for his crimes and has shown remorse.

“Having completed all the identified programmes as per his correctional sentence plan, Brown was assessed and reports by specialists recommended parole placement. The Victim Offender Dialogue programme is to continue as there is a need to reach out to all his secondary victims.

“Brown will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections, whereby he is expected to comply with specific set of conditions and will be subjected to supervision until his sentence expires on 2 December 2028.”