A $1 million shopping spree student in South Africa has been imprisoned.

The magistrate further stated that the expenditure was motivated by "greed, not need," dismissing the claim that she came from a poor family.

A $1 million shopping spree student in South Africa has been imprisoned.

A South African lady was found guilty of theft and sentenced to five years in prison after getting over $1 million (£700,000) in her bank account by mistake.

During her trial, the court heard that Sibongile Mani received 14 million rands instead of her monthly student grant of 1,400 rands in June 2017 and immediately began spending it.

While she was a student at Walter Sisulu University, she received funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) via payment services provider IntelliMali.

Ms. Mani did not disclose the error; instead, she spent the money within two hours of receiving it.

She had spent approximately $70,000 in 48 locations around the country in 73 days by the time her account was suspended.

It was found on textiles, cellphones, booze, bedding, gift cards, and high-end items.

Ms. Mani had managed to splurge that much around the country each day, according to East London Regional Magistrate Twanette Olivier, who handed down her decision.
She claimed that if IntelliMali had not reimbursed her for the money she had spent, many students would have been harmed.

The magistrate further stated that the expenditure was motivated by "greed, not need," dismissing the claim that she came from a poor family.

She stated, "The only sentence that is appropriate is immediate imprisonment."

Ms. Mani’s lawyer said her client would appeal at a hearing on 11 April.

The case has ignited a national debate, with some seeing her actions as justified in a country with one of the world's most unequal societies - and where a lot more money is lost due to corruption.

The five-year sentence has also been criticized, with many believing it is excessively harsh for a young first-time offender who happened to come to find a big sum of money in her account.

After serving one-third of her five-year sentence, the 31-year-old will be eligible for parole.