Kaya News Reporter
Sibongile Mani, the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) student accused of stealing R14m from NSFAS, has been convicted of theft.
The Eastern Cape Regional Court found the student guilty of theft for the amount of R818 000.
This was the amount that Sibongile Mani has spent from the R14 million that was accidentally credited to her student account in 2017.
She was supposed to receive R1 400 from NSFAS for a monthly meal allowance.
Mani argued that it was not her intention to withhold the funds from NSFAS and said she was not aware about the specifics of the loan.
However, Twanette Olivier ruled that as a student activist Mani understood the processes of the financial aid for students.
Declining to testify during her trial, the court said that when Sibongile failed to report the error, she knew what she was doing was fraudulent.
She spent the R818 000 in 48 different stores in different cities, including East London and George.
Hours after the money was deposited into her account she had spent R20 000. Her spending spree continued after the deposit was made in July 2017 until her account was blocked.
She was arrested in May 2018 by the Hawks and her case resumed at the East London regional court.
Sentencing is expected to be handed down on 8 March 2022.
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