Student who received R14-million could face charges

Karin Van Rooyen, whose with the Ombudsman for Banking Services, says the student should have reported the matter. 

The news first broke out on social media - after the student's receipt showing the multi-million rand allowance was posted on online.  

It has been confirmed R800 000 of the payment has since been spent. 

According to Van Rooyen, the student might face charges for not reporting the error and misusing the money. 

ALSO READ: NSFAS student receives R14 million deposit

"Utilising funds that are not entitled to you amounts to theft and a person can be prosecuted to recoup the money spent. The onus is on the bank account holder to determine whether he/she was entitled to the money and the account holder must visit his/her branch to investigate any abnormal deposit,"she says. 

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has since distanced itself from the error. Responding on Twitter, NSFAS says it did not issue the funds to the scholar.

While the company responsible for paying the monthly allowances, IntelliMali, says it takes full responsibility. In a statement, the CEO Michael Ansell says the student received an over allocation of her monthly food allowance.

NSFAS will await a full report from  the university.

Earlier today, WSU Spokeswomen, Yonela Tukwayo said the university requested forensic investigators to get involved. 

See other reactions from social media below.