EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 04, 2017: Sibongile Mani is seen fleeing a media conference from angry students demanding that she pays back the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) money on September 04, 2017 in East London, South Africa. Mani, a student at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) was mistakenly given R14 million worth of student money and allegedly spent R800 000 of it. (Photo by Gallo Images / Die Burger / Lulama Zenzile)
Theft charge laid over controversial “R14 million student” saga
R14 million in your account, spend over R800k in 11 days? The big companies involved want answers now. The first charges have been laid.
EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 04, 2017: Sibongile Mani is seen fleeing a media conference from angry students demanding that she pays back the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) money on September 04, 2017 in East London, South Africa. Mani, a student at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) was mistakenly given R14 million worth of student money and allegedly spent R800 000 of it. (Photo by Gallo Images / Die Burger / Lulama Zenzile)
Walter Sisulu University Student Sibongile Mali must be regretting the day she had R14 million incorrectly deposited into her account. Besides from being chased around by her fellow students, she has to pay R800 000 back and could even face criminal charges.
Speaking of charges, private student grant payment company Intellimali has laid a charge of theft over that “mistake” R14 million.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Marinda Mills spoke to News24.
”Intellimali officials laid a charge of theft at the Berlin police station today. The case has been assigned to a seasoned investigator and the standard investigative procedures will now be followed,”
Mali was due her monthly R1 400 from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme when she received R14 000 000 instead. She then allegedly spent R818 000 before one of her classmates exposed her after finding a bank slip showing she had millions in her account.
The university is also asking Intellimali for a report explaining how the student was able spend such large amounts of money at shops that are not part of the network that accepts payments through the specific debit card that lets their students access their NSFAS money.
The cards are only supposed to work at specific stores and food shops selected by the University itself.
Intellimali said last week that the payment amounts were all checked before they were transferred onto the students’ cards. The group also wants to know where the extra zeroes came from.
Intellimali has credited the university with the alleged R818 000 that the student spent.
