Alleged bogus Dr Matthew in hot water

by Bongiwe Mati

TikTok sensation and alleged bogus doctor Matthew Lani took social media by storm yesterday as news of his alleged fake qualifications made its rounds.

The doctor and HIV activist, who also has a multi-vitamin supplements business, rose to TikTok fame when he introduced himself as one of the youngest doctors in Mzansi. He also shared that he had allegedly been abused by his former partner who intentionally infected him with HIV while knowing his status.

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Matthew dubbed himself the youngest owner of a multi-vitamin range in South Africa at just 24 years and this he claimed was confirmed to him by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.

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The TikTok “doctor” also shared that he had gone into medicine at the age of 16 after skipping grade four and grade eight due to his intelligent nature. He added that was he not in possession of a high school matric certificate but had a high school diploma as he went to Cambridge International College.

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When questions started erupting about his identity and his qualifications, Matthew claimed that Lani was not his surname but his social media name, adding that his real surname was Zingelwa. He also claimed that he graduated as Bongani Zingelwa.

Addressing claims of his alleged fake credentials, the doctor shared that he wasn’t going to address social media trolls as he knew his truth, adding that his employer was also fine as he wasn’t breaking any of his job’s codes of conduct by having a different social media name.

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Upon coming into contact with such information and checking their student records, Wits University shared a statement denying having records of anyone by the name of Bongani Zingelwa or Sanele Zingelwa who had graduated in recent years.

Adding to the doctor’s woes, X (formerly Twitter) users shared a statement allegedly from Cambridge International College denying the doctor as a learner at their institution and stating that they were also seeking legal advice on the matter.

The Gauteng Department of Health added salt to the wounds by issuing a statement stating they have opened a criminal case of impersonating a doctor against the bogus doctor.

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