LOOK: Celebrities weigh in on Sibongile Mani’s sentence

Sibongile Mani

Cape Town – South African celebrities such as media personalities Siv Ngesi, Bontle Modiselle and controversial poet Ntsiki Mazwai have publicly shown their support to the former Walter Sisulu University student, Sibongile Mani.

Mani, 31, was sentenced to five years in prison for theft by an East London court on Wednesday after spending at least R818 000 of the R14 million that was mistakenly sent to her account by the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which assists underprivileged students in 2018.

In 2018, Mani had been expecting a monthly stipend of R1 400 when the R14 million showed up in her account.

Realising that she had millions in her account, Mani went on a two-month spending whirlwind.

ALSO READ: R14 million error: South Africans react after Sibongile Mani is handed a 5-year jail sentence

She bought clothes and a phone amongst other things.

The error was noticed by the scheme after three months, to which Mani was taken to court.

Her sentence shocked many South Africans, including politicians and celebrities, who felt that it was too harsh.

“If this young lady was a government official or had rich parents, she would have never ended up in jail! Murders and rapists get less time! This isn’t me saying she isn’t wrong and shouldn’t be punished,” wrote Siv Ngesi in an Instagram post.

 

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A post shared by Siv Ngesi (@sivngesi)

“5 years imprisonment for Sibongile Mani is totally uncalled for,” Bontle wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Ntsiki tweeted: “There is no justice in South Africa…. lets stop respecting it. Judges are fucking insane or bought … These judgments don’t make sense lately”.

Earlier, the South African Union of Students (SAUS) also called on those who transferred the R14 million into Mani’s account to be held liable, according to EWN.

“This seems to be scapegoating and hiding from the broader corruption and criminal syndicate that exists, particularly around students and funding,” the report quoted SAUS president Asive Dlangwa as saying.

The report said that Mani pleaded for a suspended sentence, but the judge said that this was inappropriate.

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Picture: Facebook/ Siv Ngesi

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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo

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