WSU students show support for convicted Mani as she appears in East London court

A group of Walter Sisulu University students, some of whom are Pasma members, have come out in numbers to support convicted Sibongile Mani as she is set to appear in the East London regional court this morning.

Mani was convicted of theft by magistrate Twanett Olivier last month. The Dispatch reported Mani received more than R14m into her student account from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), and allegedly spent just over R800,000 of the R14m in 73 days .

The amount was credited to her during June 2017. Mani was an accounting student at the time and was only entitled to receive R1,400.

It is alleged that the millions were erroneously deposited into her account by Cape Town-based company Intellimali. The company is contracted by NSFAS to make payments to students.

Sinoyolo Mfaxa, a Buffalo City Campus student and Pasma member said they believed Mani was not guilty.

“We are here to plead with the court to not sentence her to direct imprisonment.

“She is not guilty to us and we want to appeal that in high court.

“We are willing to help her and even if ghe sentence is that she must pay back the money we are willing to fundraise even within 24-hours.

“She is the only one classified as guilty while there are people who transferred the money into her account and whom today are not trending as she is. To us it feels as she is marginalised because she is poor and a black child.

“She has gone through worse since 2017 and she is strong and we believe in her. She continued to be funded even after this saga. She is one of us,” Mfaxa said.

The case has been postponed to March 29 for a social worker report and for closing arguments.

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