Bogus TikTok ‘Dr’ Matthew Lani Faces Scrutiny as Wits University Disowns Him

Matthew Lani, known as ‘Dr Matthew Lani’ on TikTok, with over 280,000 followers, has come under scrutiny as Wits University disassociated itself from the self-proclaimed doctor, raising concerns over his authenticity.

IOL reports that the popular TikTok personality, ‘Dr Matthew Lani,’ aged 27, has been offering medical advice and sharing medical content to his sizable online following while claiming to have studied medicine at Wits University. However, the university has refuted any connection to him and called on Lani to retract any references linking him with Wits.

Lani’s LinkedIn profile indicates that he studied medicine (MBBS) at Wits from 2014 to 2021. However, Wits University does not offer an MBBS degree. However, it does offer an MBBCh degree, raising further doubts about his credentials.

Fellow doctors who attended the university around the same time have taken to social media to express that they do not recognise him.

On TikTok, ‘Dr Matthew Lani,’ who goes by the aliases doc.matthew and “Dr Matthew MD,” has gained significant popularity with over 283,000 followers and more than 2.8 million likes on his videos.

In response, Wits University released a statement clarifying its position, stating that they have no record of a graduate named Matthew Bongani Zingelwa or Sanele Zingelwa in recent years, as indicated by Lani. They have requested that he promptly withdraw any such claims.

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Stellenbosch Municipality also disavowed Lani, stating that he had never worked for them despite his claims to the contrary.

The Gauteng Health Department deleted a promotional campaign video from June 16 last year that featured ‘Dr Matthew Lani’ after allegations of impersonation surfaced. In the video, he claimed to be a medical intern at Helen Joseph Hospital and an HIV/Aids activist.

Social media users have accused ‘Dr Matthew Lani’ of providing medical advice and selling medical products on his platform. In one video, he recommends deodorant for persistent underarm odour. He offers advice on dealing with skin issues, often wearing a stethoscope around his neck in videos.

In response to the allegations, Lani defended himself on TikTok, stating that he had addressed these matters before and complied with the social media guidelines of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). He also mentioned that his employer knew the difference between his social media and legal names.

However, the HPCSA has distanced itself from ‘Dr Matthew Lani,’ emphasising that practising medicine without a license is a criminal offence in South Africa. They have pledged to collaborate with law enforcement to address the increasing issue of bogus practitioners.

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Picture: Facebook / ZAlebs

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