A glitch in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) systems in South Africa is to blame for the 14 million rand (350 million naira) overpayment to a student at the Walter Sisulu University, according to media reports on Sunday.

Findings from the auditing firm Kuhumelela found the scheme’s systems were “significantly flawed” and had paid students over R503 million (N12,5 billion) more than what was specified in loan agreements.

Kuhumelela was contracted by a ministerial committee appointed by the Minister of Higher Education to determine why NSFAS had failed.

In one high-profile case, a student named Sibongile Mani, the recipient of a N350 million overpayment was charged with theft after she allegedly spent around R820,000 (N20,5 million) of the N350 million deposited in her account in 73 days.

The paying company told the court that the transfer is believed to have been caused by a technical glitch in its sBux system, which has since been scrapped.

Mani was only meant to receive a monthly meal allowance of R1,400 (N35,000).

Her case has been postponed to 7 February 2022.

High-profile case

Sibongile Mani, an accounting student at the time, was meant to receive only 1,400 rands (35,000 naira) from SA Student Fund as her monthly allowance but a technical error found her receiving way more than she was meant to - R14 million (N350 million) but instead of reporting the error, Mani went on shopping sprees.

According to media reports, Mani had spent a reported R11 000 (N275,000) a day in space of three months, spending the money on new cell phones, weaves and expensive alcohol.

Mani was arrested in May 2018 by the Serious Commercial Crime Unit of the Hawks as a result of her involvement in the unlawful distribution of NSFAS funds and is currently out on bail.