Committee Chair notes guilty conviction of WSU student who embezzled erroneously paid NSFAS funds
The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Elleck Nchabeleng, has noted the judgment in the matter involving Walter Sisulu University student, Ms Sibongile Mani.
On Monday, Ms Mani was found guilty of theft by an East London regional court following a marathon trial that ensued after R14 million was erroneously paid into her bank account.
Ms Mani was found to have embezzled about R800 000 before the error was picked up in the Intellimali system.
Mr Nchabeleng said the conviction needed to serve as a lesson to Ms Mani that theft does not pay.
“However, the committee calls on all those who
are concerned to provide support to the student and that she be allowed to finish her studies.
Ms Mani is National Student Financial Aid Scheme beneficiary without whose support she will struggle to pay back the money as well as finish her studies.”
Mr Nchabeleng said it would be preferable if the sentence would include an option to enter into debt acknowledgment with Intellimali and possibly to undergo a communal sentence.
Ms Mani will be sentenced in March.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Sibongile Maputi (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8738
Cell: 081 052 6060
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
