Walter Sisulu University (WSU) former student, Sibongile Mani has been found guilty on the charges of theft in the East London Regional Court, however, she is expected to be sentenced in March.
This is a result of an amount of R14 million that was allegedly mistakenly deposited into the student's account. Mani is alleged to have spent more than R818 000 in 72 days.
In an ENCA live interview NSFAS spokesperson Kagisho Mamabolo cleared the air:
In the statement, we do mention that we did not deposit money into the account of Sibongile Mani.
For the most recent NSFAS media statement, click here.
Mabolo said that Mali had received her R1 400 food stipend from NSFAS.
NPA Eastern Cape spokesperson Anelisa Ngcakani said Mani had never spent her R1 400 stipend on prohibited items such as alcohol, prior to the R14 million that was deposited into her student account.
“However, she spent the R800 000 on a number of prohibited items, which include 11 blankets, nine bath sheets, various shorts for men, a variety of alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, 24 jackets, and handbags,” added Ngcakani.
NSFAS has confirmed that the administrative error was made by Intellimali, which at the time disbursed funds on behalf of Walter Sisulu University as its service provider.
Mali will be making her next court appearance on March 8 for a pre-sentence appearance.
