Sibongile Mani’s R14 million #NSFAS saga left us with so many questions

Payment service provider, IntelliMali has repaid the R818 000 that Walter Sisulu University (WSU) student Sibongile Mani frittered away after they erroneously deposited R14 million into her student account. Mihlali Ntsabo had some thoughts on the issue.

By now everyone knows about the second-year accounting student who accidentally wound up with R14 million instead of R1 400 in her student account. But the more details we get on this story the more we find ourselves asking

a) how all of this happened, and
b) WTF she was thinking.

You would think that if you suddenly found yourself with a couple million bucks in your account, you’d ask some questions.

via GIPHY

But if you weren’t going to ask those questions, you’d at least keep quiet about it and pretend like nothing happened.

via GIPHY

Not Mani. She started living it up with high-priced weaves, lit parties, expensive whiskey and iPhones for all her friends. Not just that, she shared a picture of a receipt showing her bank balance.

Of course, she got ratted out. (Apparently after Sasco students started asking questions about why their Pasma counterparts were suddenly drinking Hennessy in their meetings.)

via GIPHY

Apparently, IntelliCards can only be used at designated merchants like Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Spar, and booksellers Van Schaik close to campus. So the question is, how did Mani manage to spend the money on luxuries that you aren’t available at those stores?

via GIPHY

The website also states – in bold – stuff you cannot buy using an IntelliMali card and that list literally includes things like alcohol, cellphones, wigs and weaves. So how’d she do it?

via GIPHY

We’re pretty sure we can pinpoint the moment when Mani discovered that she had a whole lot of money on her hands. According to Eyewitness News, Mani went in to Steers one day and bought a meal for R56. Then, 35 minutes later (maybe after taking a proper look at her receipt?) she goes back to the same Steers and makes another purchase for R339.

via GIPHY

Later that same day, she spent a further R21 000. THE SAME DAY!

via GIPHY

Mani’s granny still lives in a dilapidated house in Queenstown. Girl, how do you spend R818 000 on alcohol and parties and not send a single cent back to your family? Are you trying to get your ancestors to turn their backs on you?

via GIPHY

Now, Mani is an accounting student. How does she, as a student who studies finance and timing, lack finance and timing?

via GIPHY

The internet never forgets, and Mani is going to have to do a lot to convince future employers that she can be trusted with money. (Hers and anyone else’s.)

NSFAS, WSU and InteliMalli have all denied responsibility for the accidental payout.

via GIPHY

Mani hasn’t been charged with anything yet but there are probes underway to discover how she managed to get her hands on the money. Whatever the outcome, at least she knows what’s like to being a millionaire, if only for 73 days.

via GIPHY

Meanwhile, IntelliMalli has reimbursed the university. So, if nothing else, at least someone’s #paidbackthemoney.

via GIPHY