The Walter Sisulu University student who is accused of the theft of R800 000 erroneously paid into her student account will know her fate soon.
Proceedings in the trial of Sibongile Mani wrapped up in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, with judgment now pending.
Mani was charged with theft after allegedly spending the large amount when R14 million was mistakenly deposited into her National Student Financial Aid Scheme account in 2017, by Intelli-Mali, the company contracted to make the payments to students.
During the long-running trial, the court heard from the company’s IT manager that Mani had checked her bank balance 12 times during June that year.
In closing argument, the state, among other reasons, said Mani failed to report the unusual deposit, but carried on spending more than R20 000 daily until the funds were frozen, and should therefore be found guilty.
State Advocate Luthando Makoyi, said he was confident about the testimony of all the state witnesses who he said did not contradict one another.
He said “if the accused did not want to use the money, she wouldn't have failed to report the error to her institution," he said.
Meanwhile, Mani's defence attorney Asanda Pakade, stressed that his client didn't initiate the transaction and had no intention of permanently keeping the funds.
"People who are at fault here are the ones who approved the transaction. It’s their incompetence that needs not to be overlooked," he added.
Judgment will be handed down on 17 November.
