Matthew Lani

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=http://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}}{{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}}

On 29 October 2023, Matthew Lani stated that he had been denied access to antiretroviral medication by the Gauteng Department of Health.{{Cite web |last=Yoganathan |first=Venilla |date=2024-01-10 |title=HRC defends TikTok 'Dr Lani' over ARVs access |url=https://www.medicalbrief.co.za/hrc-defends-tiktok-dr-lani-over-arvs-access/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Juta MedicalBrief |language=en-US}} He subsequently sought assistance from the South African Human Rights Commission, which confirmed receipt of his complaint in media interviews.

In October 2024, multiple media reports indicated that Lani and his mother were residing in a temporary shelter.{{Cite web |last=Tshabalala |first=Comfort |title=WATCH: 'Dr' Matthew Lani goes from scrubs to homeless! |url=https://www.snl24.com/dailysun/celebs/from-doctor-to-homeless-the-shocking-matthew-lani-story-20241030 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Daily Sun |language=en-US}} These reports also referenced financial and personal challenges following public controversy surrounding Lani's online presence.{{Cite web |last=Rall |first=Se-Anne |title='Dr' Matthew Lani says he and his mom now live in a shelter |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/dr-matthew-lani-says-he-and-his-mom-now-live-in-a-shelter-b2111d1a-3a53-4383-8a69-61c43ac7ab71 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=IOL (Independent Online) |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mochele |first=Samantha |date=2024-09-13 |title=Fake doctor, Matthew Lani hits the streets after losing it all |url=https://www.bona.co.za/entertainment/fake-doctor-matthew-lani-hits-the-streets-after-losing-it-all/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Bona Magazine |language=en-US}}

In October 10, 2023, amidst allegations of misrepresentation regarding his qualifications, his TikTok account, which had amassed 300,000 followers, was banned. As reported by IOL News{{Cite web |last=Rall |first=Se-Anne |title=BANNED: TikTok takes down Dr Matthew Lani's account |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/banned-tiktok-takes-down-dr-matthew-lanis-account-9df2da8f-fd37-4c4c-8060-7c1a32512248 |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=IOL (Independent Online) |language=en}} A few days later, Lani created a new account, which also gained 50,000 followers.{{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.amp |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}}

Early Advocacy and Public Health Work

Lani's advocacy for HIV awareness and treatment education stems from his personal experience with the virus. He used social media platforms to raise awareness on HIV prevention, treatment adherence, and stigma reduction. His content on platforms such as TikTok gained him recognition.

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=http://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}} 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}}

In December 2023, Lani announced his intention to file a civil lawsuit against the Gauteng Department of Health, alleging defamation and claiming that he was unlawfully barred from accessing public healthcare facilities, which, according to him, impeded his ability to obtain antiretroviral medication. He sought assistance from the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC),{{Cite web |last=SAHRC |title='Doctor' Matthew Lani plans to sue dept! |url=https://www.sahrc.org.za/index.php/sahrc-media/news/item/3835-doctor-matthew-lani-plans-to-sue-dept |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=www.sahrc.org.za |language=en-gb}} which acknowledged receipt of the complaint and expressed concern over the alleged violation of his right to healthcare.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-31 |title=SAHRC probing claims that Lani was denied medication by Gauteng health facility - eNCA |url=https://www.enca.com/news/sahrc-probing-claims-lani-was-denied-medication-gauteng-health-facility |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=www.enca.com |language=en}}

In March 2024, Lani’s legal representatives, SNT Attorneys, issued a letter of demand to the Gauteng Department of Health, seeking R9 million in damages.{{Cite web |last=Koka |first=Mpho |date=2024-04-29 |title=Content creator Lani sues police minister for R9m |url=https://sundayworld.co.za/news/content-creator-lani-sues-police-minister-for-r9m/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Sunday World |language=en-ZA}} {{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=2025-05-26 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}The demand cited “malicious and unlawful arrest and detention” at Helen Joseph Hospital on 29 October 2023. The letter claimed Lani had been detained without a warrant by security personnel from Potlako Security & Cleaning Services, acting on behalf of the department. His attorneys indicated that they were awaiting his instruction to proceed with filing a formal summons.{{Cite web |title=Fake doctor Matthew Lani sues Department of Health |url=https://zimoja.co.za/articles/Fake-doctor-Lani-sues-departments_ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=zimoja.co.za |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ngcobo |first=Nokuthula |date=2024-03-24 |title=Bogus doctor Matthew Lani demands R9 million from health department |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/local-celebs/bogus-doctor-matthew-lani-suing-r9-million-from-health-department-gauteng-arrest-helen-joseph-hospital-tiktok/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}}

• 702 South Africans Doing Great Things AVAC Young Leaders Award{{Cite web |last=Omny.fm |first=Omny.fm |date=3 December 2021 |title=South Africans Doing Great Things Matthew Lani |url=https://omny.fm/shows/evening-show/south-africans-doing-great-things-matthew-lani?in_playlist=podcast}}

{{reflist}}

• [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]

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Category:1997 births

Category:Living people

Category:South African TikTokers