Brown has effectively been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment relating to the Fidentia scandal.

CAPE TOWN - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has successfully appealed former Fidentia boss J Arthur Brown's sentence in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).

The court has set aside the Western Cape High Court's decision to fine the convicted fraudster R150,000 and give him a suspended sentence.

Brown was found guilty last year on two counts of fraud related to the Fidentia scandal.

He has effectively been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.

NPA spokesperson Nathi Mncube has welcomed the ruling.

"We're very happy and we hope that this will deter other potential offenders."

A warrant of arrest will have to be issued before the former Fidentia boss begins serving his sentence.

He was convicted after admitting to misrepresentations about investments entrusted to him.

The state originally laid 192 charges against him but he was found guilty on two counts of fraud last year.

The state approached the SCA to ask for a heavier sentence against Brown after he was sentenced in May.

Brown was fined R75,000 or 18 months imprisonment on each of the two counts against him but these were suspended for four years on condition he not be convicted on charges of fraud again.

In June, the Western Cape High Court denied the NPA leave to appeal the case after which it lodged an application with the SCA.