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'Brown does not deserve jail'

Cape Town - Former Fidentia boss J Arthur Brown does not deserve to go to jail, his uncle told the Western Cape High Court on Thursday.

Zacharias Venter told the court that Brown, who is his sister's child, had shown a lot of personal growth in the last six years and had learned much from his experiences.

"He's very creative. He's very intelligent. I don't see how a jail sentence will do him any good."

Brown was recently found guilty on two counts of fraud, for misrepresentations he made in handling investments for the Transport Education and Training Authority and the Mantadia Asset Trust Company.

He was acquitted on seven other charges of corruption, money-laundering, theft, and fraud.

Venter said Brown grew up in a loving, Christian home, where he was taught to accept responsibility for his actions.

He said Brown had shown wisdom and maturity at a young age.

Judge Anton Veldhuizen asked Venter if he was aware of Brown's admissions and subsequent convictions.

Venter replied that he was aware and had not expected anything else.

"He accepted responsibility for what he has done. That's how he was raised."

Prosecutor Jannie van Vuuren asked whether Venter had been in contact with his nephew between 2002 and 2006, when the fraud was committed.

Venter replied that they had been in contact. He had visited Fidentia's offices and had seen the way in which Brown had managed people and his business.

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