/ 6 June 2008

No need for Brown to be in private clinic, court hears

There was no reason for Fidentia boss J Arthur Brown to remain in a private clinic for treatment after he was allegedly sexually assaulted in a prison vehicle, the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court heard on Friday.

Cape Town district surgeon Dr Paul Theron told the court Brown could be transferred to either Pollsmoor or Goodwood prison, provided the necessary arrangements were made for him to be held in the hospital section of either prison.

He said arrangements should also be made for Brown’s private doctor to have access to him in the prison hospital.

Theron testified before magistrate Justhree Steyn during an application launched by defence attorney Rashaad Khan for Brown to remain in the private clinic.

Brown, who had been out on bail on embezzlement charges involving Fidentia, the Transport and Education Authority (Teta) and investment companies Fundi and Infinity, was recently re-arrested on charges involving R800 000 allegedly embezzled from the Antheru Trust.

The Cape High Court last week dismissed an application for his immediate release from custody — in which he challenged the lawfulness of his re-arrest, which followed his wife Susan’s disappearance to Australia at a time when she was aware that her arrest in the Antheru matter was imminent.

Theron told the court that arrangements for Brown’s transfer from the private clinic to a prison hospital should be completed by Tuesday next week, when Brown is to launch a bail application. — Sapa