Student blew R20k on booze in 2 hours
Mani blew loan on beer and smokes
In less than two hours after the erroneous transfer of R14-million into her account by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) on June 1 2017, Sibongile Mani had spent R20 000 on “prohibited” items such as cigarettes and alcohol.
This is according to a fourpage charge sheet which was seen by Sowetan’s sister publication the Dispatch for the first time during Monday’s quick hearing.
The theft trial against the third-year accounting student at Walter Sisulu University was postponed to October 25.
Mani’s lawyer Asanda Pakade told East London Regional Court magistrate Nomthandazo Vabaza that the defence team was still studying the contents of the docket and the charge sheet.
Mani is charged with theft of R818 469 she spent after R14.14-million was transferred into her account as a result of a “systems error”, according to the charges. The charge sheet also says: The money appeared in her
● account at 13.09pm on June 1 2017. At 14.55 that day, Mani started spending it. Between June 1 and August
●
14 when the error was noticed, Mani had spent R818 469 at 48 merchants in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng.
Mani spent R174 631 over a
● period of a “few days” at Checkers Hyper in Centurion.
R178 923 was spent at
●
Discount World in Fleet Street, East London. “Prohibited” items [those that ●
NSFAS does not allow students to buy] to the value of R286 108 were purchased. This included alcohol, cigarettes, electrical appliances, bedding, airtime, gift cards, toys and microwaves.
The charge sheet also states: “During each of her purchases over the period, she was provided with a receipt that showed her current balance.
“On 1 June 2017 when she made her first purchases at 2.55pm she became aware of the erroneous credit. On June 1 2017 alone she spent approximately R20 000.”
The charge sheet also says Mani renamed herself on her social media account to “Sibongile Money”, and that she published pictures of her receipt showing the huge sum.
“The accused knew at all times that she was only entitled to a food allowance of R1 400 and the credit she had received on 1 June 2018 of R14.1-million was incorrect, it did not belong to her and she was not entitled to spend it.
“The accused did unlawfully and intentionally steal R818 469 as described in the preamble to the charge sheet.”
Yesterday, Vabaza said due to congested court schedule, an earlier date could not be found. Mani was arrested by the Hawks on May 29 2018 after student fund distributor Intelimali had opened a theft case on September 5 2017.
Mani is accused of failing to report the alleged “error” and instead spent R818 469 in 73 days.