https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231030/fake-tiktok-doctor-matthew-lani-apprehended-at-johannesburg-hospital-1063187133.html
Fake TikTok Doctor Matthew Lani Apprehended at Johannesburg Hospital
Fake TikTok Doctor Matthew Lani Apprehended at Johannesburg Hospital
Sputnik Africa
'Dr. Matthew Lani' went viral last month after his credentials were called into question. The self-proclaimed TikTok doctor uploaded videos to the platform... 30.10.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-10-30T10:27+0100
2023-10-30T10:27+0100
2023-10-30T10:27+0100
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TikTokker Matthew Lani, who allegedly impersonated a doctor to gain popularity on social media, was arrested when he tried to enter Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg on Sunday night, the Gauteng Department of Health said in a statement.According to the department, after Lani was stopped and apprehended by hospital security, he requested to use the restroom and subsequently attempted to "escape by jumping through the bathroom window." When the security personnel noticed that Lani was attempting to flee, backup was called and he was apprehended again. The police were notified and Lani was officially arrested.Lani gained notoriety for providing medical advice via social media and has been interviewed by multiple radio stations to give his opinion on health-related topics. In addition, he promoted weight-loss pills on his social media channels. The TikTok 'doctor' garnered attention for posing as an employee of the Gauteng Health Department at a Johannesburg hospital while also asserting to hold a medicine degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. Lani further stated that he was registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and had obtained a high school diploma from Cambridge International College. However, the institutions have denied any association with him.After facing scrutiny over his true identity on social media, Lani claimed that the name he had been using online was not his real name, stating that he is Sanele Zingelwa. The latter is a registered medical student and a second-year medical intern at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital. The department said the real Zingelwa - Dr Sanele Sobani Vambani Zingelwa - had reported a case of identity fraud at Tembisa police station.Zingelwa expressed his hope for the prompt resolution of the issue and gratitude to the public for their steadfast support, elaborating that the actions of the so-called Dr. Matthew Lani have had a negative impact on him and his family.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231010/identity-theft-case-reportedly-opened-against-tiktoks-dr-matthew-1062676023.html
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southern africa, south africa, health, healthcare, fraud, police, court, tiktok, johannesburg, viral
southern africa, south africa, health, healthcare, fraud, police, court, tiktok, johannesburg, viral
Fake TikTok Doctor Matthew Lani Apprehended at Johannesburg Hospital
'Dr. Matthew Lani' went viral last month after his credentials were called into question. The self-proclaimed TikTok doctor uploaded videos to the platform with a stethoscope around his neck, offering medical advice and sharing medical-related content with his audience of more than 280,000 people at the time.
TikTokker Matthew Lani, who allegedly impersonated a doctor to gain popularity on social media, was arrested when he tried to enter Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg on Sunday night, the Gauteng Department of Health said in a statement.
"Lani was caught just before 20:00, disguised in a hoodie and wearing a surgical mask with a stethoscope around his neck. He had previously entered the same facility to curate misleading content under the pretense that he was a qualified doctor," read the statement.
According to the department, after Lani was stopped and apprehended by hospital security, he requested to use the restroom and subsequently attempted to "escape by jumping through the bathroom window." When the security personnel noticed that Lani was attempting to flee, backup was called and he was apprehended again. The police were notified and Lani was officially arrested.
Lani gained notoriety for providing medical advice via social media and has been interviewed by multiple radio stations to give his opinion on
health-related topics. In addition, he promoted weight-loss pills on his social media channels.
The TikTok 'doctor' garnered attention for posing as an employee of the Gauteng Health Department at a Johannesburg hospital while also asserting to hold a medicine degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. Lani further stated that he was registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and had obtained a high school diploma from Cambridge International College. However, the institutions have denied any association with him.
Earlier this month, the department opened a case against him for impersonating a doctor and stealing the identity of a medical intern. It was noted that Lani assumed various pseudo-medical roles while falsely representing himself as an employee of the department.
After facing scrutiny over his true identity on social media, Lani claimed that the name he had been using online was not his real name, stating that he is Sanele Zingelwa. The latter is a registered medical student and a second-year medical intern at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital. The department said the real Zingelwa - Dr Sanele Sobani Vambani Zingelwa - had reported a case of identity fraud at Tembisa police station.
"I must put it on record that I do not know the so called 'Dr Matthew Lani'. His actions have put a huge amount of strain on not only myself, but also on my family. It is unfortunate that he would abuse social media for his own selfish end. I have opened a case with the South African Police Service of identity fraud. I hope the bogus doctor will be brought to justice," Dr. Zingelwa is quoted as saying by local media.
Zingelwa expressed his hope for the prompt
resolution of the issue and gratitude to the public for their steadfast support, elaborating that the actions of the so-called Dr. Matthew Lani have had a negative impact on him and his family.
