Draft:Matthew Lani

{{AFC submission|d|bio|u=Ashleyashville|ns=118|decliner=Vanilla Wizard|declinets=20250629203152|ts=20250621114500}}

{{AFC submission|d|bio|u=Ashleyashville|ns=118|decliner=Timtrent|declinets=20250621093726|small=yes|ts=20250605224956}}

{{AFC submission|d|v|u=Ashleyashville|ns=118|decliner=Greenman|declinets=20250404082405|small=yes|ts=20250403112352}}

{{AFC comment|1=I have to agree with the previous reviewer's assessment that the subject fails WP:BLP1E - a person most notable for one event who would otherwise remain a low profile individual does not qualify for a Wikipedia article Vanilla Wizard 💙 20:31, 29 June 2025 (UTC)}}

{{AFC comment|1=This has a strong sense of WP:BLP1E offer the arrest 🇵🇸‍🇺🇦 Fiddle^Timtrent Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦‍🇵🇸 09:37, 21 June 2025 (UTC)}}

{{AFC comment|1=See WP:COI. See also WP:BLP. Statements, starting with the date of birth, need to be sourced or removed. Greenman (talk) 08:24, 4 April 2025 (UTC)}}

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{{Infobox person

| name = Matthew Lani

| image = Matthew Lani.png

| caption =

| birth_name = Matthew Lani

| nationality = South African

| birth_place = Christiana, North West

| occupation = media personality, • HIV/AIDS Clinician

| years_active = 2021–present

| known_for = media personality, HIV/AIDS Clinician, Impersonating a doctor (charges dropped), Suing Government and Tiktoker

| website =

| other_names = Dr Matthew, Matheu

| education = Robin Hills Primary, Bordeaux Primary,Greswold Senior School,Cambridge International Education (A Level)

| module = {{Infobox

| title = TikTok information

| label1 = Page

| data1 = [https://www.tiktok.com/@matthew._lani matthew._lani]

| label2 = Followers

| data2 = 61,1K

| label3 = Likes

| data3 = 1 Million

}}

Last updated: June 27, 2025

}}

Matthew Lani, also known as Dr Matthew is a South African media personality and self-described HIV/AIDS awareness advocate. He was born in Christiana North West, he gained national and international attention in 2023 after being arrested for allegedly impersonating a medical doctor a case that drew widespread media coverage and public debate.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-30 |title=Dr Matthew Lani: TikTok star arrested in South Africa |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67262873 |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}} The charges were later withdrawn, and Lani subsequently initiated civil proceedings against government bodies, including the Gauteng Department of Education and the South African Police Service. He is also known for his HIV advocacy and for publicly disclosing his positive status on national television, contributing to conversations about stigma, access to healthcare, and digital misinformation in South Africa.

Education

Matthew Lani began his education in Bordeaux Primary School. Lani then enrolled at Gresswold Senior School, a school for learners with Special needs. According to information released by the Gauteng Department of Education in an official statement dated 11 October 2023, Lani does not hold a matric certificate{{Cite news |title='Dr Matthew' does not have matric — Gauteng education confirms |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-10-11-dr-matthew-does-not-have-matric-gauteng-education-confirms/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826061107/https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/news/south-africa/2023-10-11-dr-matthew-does-not-have-matric-gauteng-education-confirms/ |archive-date=2024-08-26 |access-date=2025-04-04 |work=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Gauteng Provincial Government |first=Gauteng provincial government |date=11 October 2023 |title=No matric certificate for bogus Dr Matthew |url=https://www.gauteng.gov.za/Publications/TagPublications?tag=matric%20certificate}}

In June 2025, Lani initiated a defamation lawsuit against the Gauteng Department of Education. He alleged that the department had misrepresented his educational background in public statements, including omitting records from Robin Hills Primary School where he claimed to have skipped a grade. Lani further asserted that the department falsely stated that verification had been conducted through Umalusi and failed to verify his academic history with Cambridge International, resulting in reputational harm.{{Cite web |title=Matthew Lani strikes again |url=https://www.yfm.co.za/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |language=en-US}}

Public Health Advocacy

Prior to his arrest, Lani created content on TikTok and other platforms focusing on HIV awareness. He appeared on podcasts and talk shows discussing his experiences and encouraging HIV prevention and treatment adherence{{Cite web |last=Birjalal |first=Alyssia |date=2020-02-28 |title=WATCH: Matthew Lani's tell-all on fame, struggles and healing in 'Engineer Your Life' podcast |url=https://iol.co.za/entertainment/celebrity-news/local/2024-11-14-watch-matthew-lanis-tell-all-on-fame-struggles-and-healing-in-engineer-your-life-podcast/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=IOL |language=en}}

Disclosure of HIV Status

Lani has stated in interviews that he is living with HIV and that he was deliberately infected by a former partner. His story was featured in an episode of ‘‘Unpacked with Relebogile Mabotja’’ on SABC 3, as well as in a follow-up YouTube segment.{{Cite web |last=Ngenyane |first=By Andiswa |title=Unpacked with Relebogile Mabotja hits new high! |url=https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/celebs/unpacked-with-relebogile-mabotja-hits-new-high-20220428 |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Daily Sun |language=en-US}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8qSP3qx_6o |title=My Partner Deliberately Infected Me With HIV(Part 2) {{!}} Unpacked with Relebogile Episode 48 {{!}}Season 3 |date=2021-11-24 |last=Relebogile Mabotja |access-date=2025-06-21 |via=YouTube}}

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

On 9 October 2023, Lani made international headlines on his birthday when the Gauteng Department of Health accused him of impersonating a doctor.{{Cite web |last=Gauteng Provincial Government |first=Gauteng Provincial Government |date=8 October 2023 |title=Gauteng Health open case against bogus doctor |url=https://www.gauteng.gov.za/Publications/PublicationDetails/%7B095698f0-181d-44e4-a59b-5e0b9a3cc4b9%7D}} The department alleged that Lani had been visiting health facilities to create misleading content, potentially causing confusion and harm to patients. The accusation quickly garnered attention from several other institutions, including the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA),{{Cite web |last=Yfm |first=Yfm |date=11 October 2023 |title=HPCSA Dr Matthew Lani statement |url=https://www.yfm.co.za/2023/10/10/dr-lani-insists-he-is-a-qualified-medic/}} Wits University,{{Cite web |last=Wits University |first=Wits university |date=9 October 2023 |title=Wits statement Dr Matthew |url=https://x.com/WitsUniversity/status/1711341257971188108}} and the Gauteng Department of Education.{{Cite web |last=Gauteng Provincial Government |first=Gauteng provincial government |date=11 October 2024 |title=No matric for bogus Matthew Lani |url=https://www.gauteng.gov.za/Publications/PublicationDetails/%7Bebfe867f-76e6-4fbb-ac76-0285f87079ad%7D}}

The controversy reached its peak on 29 October 2023, when Lani was arrested at Helen Joseph Hospital. Authorities apprehended him on charges of attempting to impersonate a doctor.{{Cite web |last=South African Government |first=South African Government |date=31 October 2023 |title=Gauteng Health on capturing of bogus Dr Matthew Lani by security personnel at Helen Joseph Hospital {{!}} South African Government |url=https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/gauteng-health-capturing-bogus-dr-matthew-lani-security-personnel-helen |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=South African Government}}{{Cite web |last=McCain |first=Nicole |title='Bogus' doctor arrested at Gauteng hospital |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/bogus-doctor-arrested-at-gauteng-hospital-20240620 |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} However, Lani's legal team maintained his innocence,{{Cite news |title='He was doing it for entertainment' - 'Dr' Lani's lawyer |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-10-31-he-was-doing-it-for-entertainment-dr-lanis-lawyer/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106103051/https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/amp/news/south-africa/2023-10-31-he-was-doing-it-for-entertainment-dr-lanis-lawyer/ |archive-date=2023-11-06 |access-date=2025-04-04 |work=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA |url-status=live }} and during his appearance before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dropped all charges due to a lack of sufficient evidence.{{Cite news |last=SABC |first=SABC |date=31 October 2024 |title=Charges against Matthew Lani withdrawn |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ngZzjSruzs}}

Following his release, Lani announced his intention to pursue legal action against both the South African Police Service and the Gauteng Department of Education. He accused the police of unlawful arrest and the department of defamation for releasing public statements that he claimed were false and damaging to his reputation.{{Cite web |last=Magagula |first=Nompumelelo |title=Famous internet 'doctor' Matthew Lani demands R2 million for unlawful arrest |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/trending/famous-internet-doctor-matthew-lani-demands-r2million-for-unlawful-arrest-20250524-1256 |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Mntambo |first=Nokukhanya |title=Mchunu says no sight of letter from fake doctor Lani demanding R2m payout over 'unlawful arrest' |url=https://www.ewn.co.za/2025/05/26/mchunu-says-no-sight-of-letter-from-fake-doctor-lani-demanding-r2m-payout-over-unlawful-arrest |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=EWN |language=en}}

The Gauteng Department of Education had previously stated that Lani was not registered in its database as having completed matric, and disputed his claim that he had graduated through a Cambridge international program. Lani responded by stating that the department had failed to verify his records properly and had falsely claimed to have consulted UMALUSI and other bodies. As of mid-2025, a civil lawsuit related to these statements remains ongoing.{{Cite web |last=Kgobotlo |first=Boitumelo |date=2025-06-17 |title=Matthew Lani sues Gauteng education for R2.5m over harm to 'professional' image |url=https://sundayworld.co.za/news/matthew-lani-sues-gauteng-education-for-r2-5m-over-harm-to-professional-image/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Sunday World |language=en-ZA}}

Public and Media Response

The case received wide media coverage in South Africa and abroad, prompting discussions about digital identity, misinformation, and regulatory oversight in health communication.{{Cite web |last=Magubeni |first=Coceka |date=2024-11-15 |title=Matthew Lani admits he lied about his medical background |url=https://sundayworld.co.za/news/matthew-lani-admits-he-lied-about-his-medical-background/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Sunday World |language=en-ZA}} A civil matter related to the incident remains ongoing.

Public image

Lani’s public persona has generated both significant attention and controversy. He initially gained a following on platforms such as TikTok for posting videos that combined health advice with lifestyle commentary. His content, particularly around HIV prevention, resonated with younger audiences and sparked engagement within South Africa’s online health and wellness communities.{{Cite web |title=South Africans Doing Great Things - Matthew Lani - The Aubrey Masango Show |url=https://omny.fm/shows/evening-show/south-africans-doing-great-things-matthew-lani?in_playlist=podcast |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=omny.fm |language=en}}

Following his arrest in 2023, Lani became the subject of widespread media coverage. While some commentators criticized his alleged misrepresentation of qualifications, others viewed the incident as a reflection of broader social issues, including youth disillusionment, access to education, and the influence of social media on public trust.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Rebecca |date=2023-11-05 |title=Dr Who? TikTok doctor exposes fraudulent underbelly of social media |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-11-05-dr-who-tiktok-doctor-exposes-fraudulent-underbelly-of-social-media/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}

He has continued to maintain a presence online, defending his personal story and criticising what he describes as institutional gatekeeping and defamation. Public opinion remains divided, with some users expressing support for his advocacy work, while others remain skeptical of his credibility and intentions.{{Cite web |last=Magubeni |first=Coceka |date=2024-11-15 |title=Matthew Lani admits he lied about his medical background |url=https://sundayworld.co.za/news/matthew-lani-admits-he-lied-about-his-medical-background/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Sunday World |language=en-ZA}}

References

External links

[https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/gauteng-health-capturing-bogus-dr-matthew-lani-security-personnel-helen Gauteng Health on capturing of bogus Dr Matthew Lani by security personnel at Helen Joseph Hospital | South African Government]
[https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/health-department-probes-alleged-bogus-doctor-matthew-lani-2/ Health Department probes alleged bogus doctor Matthew Lani - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader.]
[https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-10-31-charges-dropped-against-fake-doctor-matthew-lani-due-to-lack-of-evidence/ Charges dropped against 'fake doctor' Matthew Lani due to lack of evidence]

{{Draft categories|

:Category:1997 births

:Category:Living people

:Category:South African TikTokers

}}