Election of convicted fraudster by WSU alumni a travesty
Two weeks ago Walter Sisulu University (WSU) alumni elected Sibongile Mani, a convicted fraudster, as treasurer of its convocation.
This is a statutory body representing alumni, the largest constituency in a university.
The body has a say in the affairs of a university, and also elects the chancellor, president of convocation and executive committee of convocation.
Mani, who holds a national diploma in internal auditing and a postgraduate certificate in education from WSU, won a landslide victory to take the position.
She obtained 79 votes, while her competitor managed just 29.
Mani was convicted of theft by the East London regional court relating to R14m accidentally credited to her account by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), of which she spent almost R1m by the time the error was discovered by the institution.
She went on a spending spree, buying the most frivolous of items including thousands of rand worth of alcohol.
In March last year, the East London regional court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment but she is appealing.
When the story about Mani’s theft initially became known a significant number of people stood by her, arguing that she was a victim of internal corruption within NSFAS and failed monitoring by both the financial aid scheme and WSU.
This narrative completely disregarded the unlawfulness of Mani’s own actions.
It is common knowledge that if one knowingly spends money mistakenly deposited into their personal account by a bank or other financial institution, they are committing a crime for which legal consequences apply.
These may include a criminal charge or a civil case, which would result in the money being recovered by court action.
Mani, who holds qualifications in both accounting and internal auditing, is the last person who could have ever claimed to be unaware of the crime of unjustified enrichment.
For this reason, presenting her as a victim is both dishonest and opportunistic.
The election of Mani to WSU’s convocation is a reflection of a society in which criminality and unethical conduct is rewarded.
This has become a feature of South African society.
A man who was convicted of statutory rape and indecent assault was later rewarded with a position as mayor in Kannaland.
A woman who is under investigation for her qualifications at a university has been rewarded with the position of cabinet minister.
Even worse, she is tasked with the professionalisation of the public service.
It would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic.
The number one citizen of our country is not untainted.
The shadow of the Phala Phala scandal hangs over his head.
In such an environment, it should come as no surprise that Mani could be elected as a treasurer of the WSU convocation.
But while WSU alumni might see nothing wrong with this ethical nightmare, South Africans must not tire of speaking out against elections and appointment of such tainted persons.
Even if our shouts are drowned out by the noise, we must never tire of demanding to be led by morally astute persons.
If we tire, we will be complicit in the malaise that has befallen our country.