Cape Town – The South African Union of Students (SAUS) has reportedly described the sentencing of convicted Walter Sisulu University student, Sibongile Mani, as “harsh and devoid of justice”.
Mani, 31, was sentenced to five years in prison on Wednesday after she went on a shopping spree with a R14 million ($1 million) university scholarship that she received by mistake.
She had been expecting a monthly stipend of R1 400 (about $100).
When R14 million ($1 million) showed up in her account, she went on a two-month spending whirlwind.
A court in East London sentenced Mani to five years for theft after she spent at least R818 000 ($56 000) on clothes, a phone and partying after receiving the windfall in 2018.
ALSO READ | South African ‘shopping-spree’ student Sibongile Mani jailed after R14 million error
The National Students Financial Aid Scheme, which aids underprivileged students, took three months to detect the error. The rest of the funds were recovered from her account.
According to EWN, the SAUS said that those who transferred the R14 million into Mani’s account should also be held liable.
“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.
Her sentence, which was pronounced live on television, was exceptionally harsh for a South African court, AFP reported.
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Meanwhile, Times Live reported on Thursday that businessman Malcom X had pledged half a million rand to help repay the R818 000 of NSFAS funds spent by Mani.
“I, Malcolm aka Business, hereby pledge R500 000 towards the R818 000 that the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) student, Sbongile Mani, ‘accidentally’ used from the R14m that was ‘accidentally’ transferred to her bank account, provided the payment of this money will lead to her immediate release from prison.
“I urge responsible entrepreneurs to donate the other R318,000 to round up the R818 000 that she ‘accidentally’ used for herself and other students,” the businessman wrote on his social networking page, according to Times Live.
Here is how social media users, including One SA Movement leader Mmusi Maimane, reacted to the sentencing of Mani:
Sibongile Mani should not be facing prison time while ANC politicians are comfortable in their luxury vehicles and looting our taxes.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) March 30, 2022
Anyone with #sibongileMani contact family rep details?
We’re not encouraging any criminal activity but the attorneys and advocates who’ve been following the matter are looking to assist if permitted.
cc @CountryDutyZA @diggiebongz
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) March 30, 2022
Imagine living in a country where Sibongile Mani is prosecuted but Zweli Mkhize gets to ramp up his bid to become President.
— Robert (@RobForbesDJ) March 30, 2022
if you think sibongile mani’s sentencing is fair – never forget that the highest official during the pandemic dr zweli mkhize was busy bunking hundred millions of rands in plastic bags at the dead of night. and he is a free man pic.twitter.com/5NYshv7z6C
— liyema (@liyema_mpompi) March 30, 2022
Malcolm X has pledged R500,000.00 towards the R818,000.00 that the Walter Sisulu University Student Sibongile Mani accidentally used from the R14m that NSFAS transferred to her bank account. #SibongileMani pic.twitter.com/bDdNW3VWXQ
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) March 30, 2022
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
Additional information by AFP
