DURBAN - HE GOES by the name Malcolm X and like the late African-American human rights activist, his intention, he says, is to help people. This week he offered to pay half a million rand towards the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) money that was used by Walter Sisulu University student Sibongile Mani.
East London Regional Court magistrate Twanette Olivier sentenced Mani to five years’ imprisonment for the theft.
Mani was found guilty of stealing R818000 after NSFAS service provider, Intellimali, accidentally transferred R14 million into her account on June 1, 2017. She was only entitled to a R1400 monthly allowance for food. The court found that Mani received the R14m as the result of a technical glitch.
In a statement presented to the court, it was revealed that Mani spent over R800000 of the money on cigarettes, alcohol, airtime, five hairdryers, 24 jackets, 12 cordless kettles, handbags, iTunes gift cards, 11 microwave ovens, 10 sleepwear items and an iPhone. Olivier said Mani’s shopping spree was inspired by greed rather than need. “She was rushing against time to spend the maximum amount before it disappeared.
Those were conscious decisions she took every day,” said Olivier. Mani, who is currently out on R1 500 bail which has been extended to April 11, is appealing her conviction and sentence.
While many are divided on the outcome of the case, Malcolm X supports Mani and is prepared to pay back the money she had used. The entrepreneur, philanthropist and humanitarian said: “Mani is being made a scapegoat because she did not transfer the money to herself and the people who transferred the money into her account are not being ridiculed in the public eye like Mani.
Whether they are being disciplined or not is another case.” Malcolm X, who said he was named by his parents, grew up in the Vaal. He said he had to play the role of a parent to his siblings when he was just 10. “The conditions were harsh and I came from poverty and that is why I understand where Mani’s actions came from.
“I understand why she acted the way she did. Any person from such a background would not think twice but would use the money straight away. “If you send such a lump sum of money into a poor student’s account, what do you expect? People are complaining that she bought luxury things. Of course one is going to go for things that they have always wanted but could not afford,” he said.
Malcolm X said he was not promoting criminality and that Mani should be held liable for her actions, but he felt that sending her to jail for five years was too harsh.
“It will add more constraints to her future. I have encouraged other entrepreneurs to lend a helping hand. So far only one person has come forward, offering R10 000. But I am prepared to pay the full amount with interest if no one else comes through,” he said.
Malcolm X said he had tried to reach out to Mani but was told that she was not allowed to speak to anyone because it could jeopardise her case.
He said he had a history of assisting people. “This money is nothing compared to how much I have donated over the years,” he said.
“Mani cannot be alone in this moment and the good thing is that I have been paying for student fees for a long time, so if Mani wishes to go back to school in future my end goal is to pay for her tuition so she never has to deal with any student loan in her life because she is in this mess because of them.”
Malcolm X said he has been helping people since 2006 and apparently donated close to R16.6m helping students, old-age homes, HIV and Aids hospices, mental institutions, shelters for the homeless and various charity homes. He made a vow while growing up that “no one in this world will face the challenges” he faced.
Malcolm X studied Train Mechanics at the Esselen Park College, the Transnet School of Rail in Kempton Park. He is based in Sandton and is a consultant for construction companies.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE