Bogus ‘Doctor’ Matthew Lani arrested trying to escae through bathroom window

GAUTENG – The Department of Health has confirmed the arrest of the bogus Dr Matthew Lani. The infamous TikTok doctor falsely presented himself as a medical practitioner under various names, including the name of Sanele Sobani Vambani Zingelwa, who is a second-year medical intern at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital

The department opened a criminal case against him after social media unmasked Lani as a fake doctor. He was arrested by security personnel at Helen Joseph Hospital on Sunday night. Gauteng health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says he was arrested while entering the main entrance of the facility.

“Lani was caught just before 8pm 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.”

Modiba says immediately after being apprehended, Lani requested to go to the bathroom only to attempt to escape by jumping through the bathroom window. “When the security realised that he was making a run for it, they called for reinforcement, and he was subsequently apprehended again.”

He has been handed over to the police for an official arrest. The bogus doctor is already in hot water with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as well as the University of Witwatersrand, which have distanced themselves from him.

He claimed to have studied medicine at Wits Medical School. The HPCSA, which regulates medical practitioners in South Africa, could not find him in their database. Cambridge International College also indicated that it will be taking legal action against him.