Big spending NSFAS student's case moved to higher court

Sibongile Mani, a student at Walter Sisulu University, was due to receive R1 400 from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme but R14.1million was paid to her.
Picture: Siyanda Jantjies — Sibongile Mani, a student at Walter Sisulu University, was due to receive R1 400 from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme but R14.1million was paid to her. Picture: Siyanda Jantjies

East London - The 28-year-old Walter Sisulu University student who erroneously received more than R14 million from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and subsequently went on a spending spree last year, appeared in the East London Magistrates Court Tuesday.

Sibongile Mani is facing a charge of theft for allegedly spending just over R810 000 on personal items over a period of three months before the state's aid scheme detected the error.

Mani is still an accounting student at the university and allegedly spent some of the money on luxury items including hair, smartphones and designer clothes.

After a request from the Hawks, she handed herself over in May and was released on a warning. The case was transferred to the East London Regional court for further investigation.

Her next court appearance will be on August 20.

African News Agency/ANA