Sibongile Mani, a Walter Sisulu University student who was convicted of stealing over R800 000 from NSFAS after the money was mistakenly deposited into her student account has been spared some jail time. Mani who was only entitled to R1 400 monthly food allowance received R14 million from the student scheme in 2017. 

SPENDING R818 000 IN TWO MONTHS 

The accounting student blew over R800 000 in 73 days between 1 June and 17 August 2017. Last year, the East London Regional Court heard that as soon as she realised that there was more than R1 400 in her Intellimali account, she spent R20 000 on prohibited items such as alcohol and cigarettes. She went on to splurge on expensive weaves, iPhone 7 cellphones for herself and her friends, designer clothes, handbags, toys, electrical appliances, bedding, toys and expensive alcohol. The mother of two even attended the Durban July event with her friends dressed in designer clothes. By the time the mistake was noticed by Intellimali, an independent service provider that was responsible for paying out funds to students at WSU, she had already spent R818 469 at different shops in Gauteng and Eastern Cape.

APPEALING HER SENTENCE 

The Daily Dispatch reports that Mani successfully appealed her five-year sentence which was wholly suspended. She was then sentenced to three years of correctional supervision on conditions that she is not convicted of similar offences. The court also ordered her to attend counselling and also perform 576 hours of community service. She is also not allowed to leav Komani, her home town, without the Department of Correctional Services approval.