WSU ‘millionaire’ student in NSFAS financial aid debacle appears in court

DISGRACED former Walter Sisulu University “millionaire” student Sibongile Mani appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning to face a theft charge.

Mani was arrested by the Hawks yesterday after she handed herself over to the elite crime-fighting unit.

Mani went on a shopping spree from June, splurging on expensive Peruvian weaves, alcohol, lavish parties at top night clubs after the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) meal card had erroneously been credited R14.1-million. She was supposed to receive R1 400.

She reportedly went on an excessive spending spree where she blew R11 000 a day over a 73-day period. In total she spent R810 000.

IntelliMali, the company responsible for disbursing and administering state loans and funds to students, opened the criminal case against the WSU accounting thirdyear student at the Berlin police station, just outside East London.

WSU, IntelliMali and NSFAS issued a joint statement last year, saying they would no longer be commenting on the matter as investigations were still ongoing.

Hawks Eastern Cape spokeswoman Captain Anelisa Feni said Mani was released on warning and would reappear in court on July 2.

WSU spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said: “We are waiting on a report on the investigation commissioned by Department of Higher Education and Training.”

Mani could not be reached for comment at the time of writing as her phone rang unanswered. —