While the application for leave to appeal is drawing closer, its important to keep faith in the SA justice system.
The J Arthur Brown trial has nothing to do with that of OP, however how the justice system operates certainly does.
This case was about South Africas largest Ponzi scheme, money laundering, fraud, and corruption related to Browns group of companies. It dragged on for 6 years following his arrest. He only pleaded guilty to two fraud charges.
The High Court initially turned down the prosecutions attempts to jail him for 15 years because its evidence during the trial was unconvincing, and Brown was only convicted on his admissions of guilt.
When Dawood Seedat was called to the stand to testify in aggravation of sentence, the judge was moved to accuse the state of botching its case. The judge said that had Seedat been called as the first witness, he might not have accepted Browns plea.
The prosecution argued that this, together with Browns guilty admissions was enough to send Brown to jail for a long time. However the judge disregarded the evidence and focused on the admissions, resulting in an inappropriate sentence, according to the NPA.
The judge took issue with the admissions, but wrongly raised them with the prosecution instead of the defence, the prosecution argued.
Today,
the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned Browns suspended sentence and a fine of R150 000 for the charges.
The executive officer of the Financial Services Board, said
the previous sentence did not acknowledge the severity of Browns crime and the significant impact his actions had on thousands of poor South Africans.
He said,
We are extremely pleased that the court has recognised this and instead decided to impose a custodial sentence of 15 years for each of the two counts for which he was charged. This is a great day for South Africas justice system and for our citizens. It shows that no matter who you are, if you break the law, you will be prosecuted and sentenced appropriately.
http://www.citypress.co.za/business/j-arthur-brown-got-appropriate-sentence/
Im hoping that if and when the appeal takes place, well hear a Court of Appeal judgment that reflects these sentiments too.