
The story grew more sensational when it emerged that, in just over two months, she managed to spend R818 000 on smartphones, whiskey and clothing.
The response ranged from outright condemnation of Mani to humour, with many asking what they would have done had they become multimillionaires overnight. Righteous radio hosts lamented Mani’s social background, arguing that perhaps she did not have faith in her own future as a poor black student and this might have informed her decision to blow a million rand.
Let’s set the record straight. When money is paid into your account in error, the moment you become aware of this and don’t return it, you have committed theft. There is no way to look at the episode other than to see it as unethical behaviour built on gross incompetence.
Campuses have been burning with Fees Must Fall protests and this PAC student leader should have known that Pasma was vocal throughout about the misappropriation of money for poor students. Did she not see the irony?