Olwethu Xabanisa
Thousands of people on social media have expressed their shock and dismay after a 31-year-old honours student was slapped with a five-year prison sentence for stealing.
Although an amount of R14 million was mistakenly paid into her account by service provider Intellimani.
Sibongile Mani who knew what she did was wrong, continued to spend over R800 000.
During sentencing, the Magistrate said this amount would have affected 585 students who would not have received their NSFAS money.
Mani is going to appeal her conviction and sentence and her bail was extended until her next court appearance on the 11th of April.
The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) in the Eastern Cape says it's ready to oppose any appeal application by Mani.
NPA regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said the sentence was appropriate and fitted the crime.
He says she was sentenced to five years subject to the provisions of Section 276 (1) i. of the Criminal Procedure Act.
That effectively means that Mani will serve 10 months of the sentence in custody after which, subject to the discretion of the Commissioner of Correctional Services, she may be released on supervision.
In her sentencing judgment, East London Regional Court Magistrate, Twanett Olivier, said Mani was driven by greed and not need and questioned why Mani never explained to the court what had happened to all the luxury items she bought.
Mani's shopping spanned over 76 days, where she splurged R170 000 at a shop in Centurion on a single day and later another R17 000 at Shoprite in George.
The court heard that she bought copious litres of alcohol, cartons of cigarettes, airtime, Checkers gift cards, a slow cooker, several items of clothing, framed mirrors, 11 microwaves, 12 cordless Kettles, 24 jackets, iTunes gift cards, 6 steam irons, several handbags, 5 hairdryers and 8 frying pans.
She also spent money on hair and make-up.
Mani's lawyer, Asanda Pakade, says the sentence was shocking stating that they are ready for the appeal.
