The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the judgment in the Eastern Cape High Court setting aside the five-year sentence for theft imposed on Walter Sisulu University student Sibongile Mani.
Mani made headlines after going on a spending spree following an error made by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) which deposited R14 million into her student account.
She was subsequently convicted in 2022 on a charge of theft after spending R800 000 on luxury goods over a two-month period.
Last week the court dismissed Mani's appeal against her theft conviction but set aside the sentence imposed by the East London regional court in March last year.
The NPA's regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said they accept the court's decision to wholly suspend the five-year jail term imposed on Mani.
He said that it should also serve as a deterrent to others, reminding the public that it is a crime to use money that "you are not entitled to even if it was paid into your bank account."
In addition, Mani must undergo three years of correctional supervision, perform 576 hours of community service without compensation, attend regular counselling and be monitored by a correctional official from Komani.
Mani's shopping spree spanned 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.
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.
