‘Student millionaire’ money repaid
Forensic investigator brought in to probe events
Payment administrator IntelliMali has reimbursed Walter Sisulu University (WSU) the full amount allegedly misappropriated by National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) “student millionaire” Sibongile Mani, out of its own pocket.
This is while IntelliMali has also roped in the services of a forensic investigator to probe how the R14-million ended up in the account of one student.
Mani blew more than R818 000 of her NSFAS windfall on parties, alcohol, designer clothing, air tickets, iPhone 7 cellphones for her and her friends, and on Peruvian weaves, all in just 73 days.
In a joint statement, with WSU and NSFAS, IntelliMali announced that it has appointed an audit firm to carry-out a forensic investigation into the matter.
According to the statement issued over the weekend, the university was “grateful” for the repayment by the payment administrator.
“WSU Vice Chancellor Professor Rob Midgley expressed gratitude that IntelliMali has taken full responsibility for the error and took steps to reimburse the R818 000 loss.”
The three parties announced that following preliminary assessments, NSFAS and WSU can confirm that no employee from their side has been found to have been involved in the erroneous crediting of the student’s IntelliCard account.
This left IntelliMali as the only party still to clear its staff from any wrong doing.
The three parties assured South Africans that no public funds were lost in this blunder.
“Preliminary investigations by the service provider have established that these funds belonged to the university, and not NSFAS as initially believed”
The university confirmed that it has taken no steps against the the 27-year-old accounting student.
“The university has opted to await the outcomes of the forensic investigation before considering any further steps.
“The university is also providing counselling to the student to ensure that she continues with her studies”
However, IntelliMali has opened a case of theft against Mani.
The trio stated that no further media engagements regarding this matter will take place and will only account to parliament.
Saying this was to allow all investigations to conclude and new information will be communicated when the outcomes of the forensic investigation is available.