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| occupation = [[media personality]], • [[HIV/AIDS Clinician]]
| occupation = [[media personality]], • [[HIV/AIDS Clinician]]
| years_active = 2021–present
| years_active = 2021–present
| known_for = [[media personality]], [[HIV/AIDS Clinician]] Impersonating a doctor (charges dropped), Suing Government
| known_for = [[media personality]], [[HIV/AIDS Clinician]], Impersonating a doctor (charges dropped), Suing Government and Tiktoker
| website =
| website =
| other_names = Dr Matthew, Matheu
| other_names = Dr Matthew, Matheu

Latest revision as of 18:27, 27 June 2025

  • Comment: See WP:COI. See also WP:BLP. Statements, starting with the date of birth, need to be sourced or removed. Greenman (talk) 08:24, 4 April 2025 (UTC)
Matthew Lani
Born
Matthew Lani

Christiana, North West
NationalitySouth African
Other namesDr Matthew, Matheu
EducationRobin Hills Primary, Bordeaux Primary,Greswold Senior School,Cambridge International Education (A Level)
Occupation(s)media personality, • HIV/AIDS Clinician
Years active2021–present
Known formedia personality, HIV/AIDS Clinician, Impersonating a doctor (charges dropped), Suing Government and Tiktoker
TikTok information
Pagematthew._lani
Followers60,600
Likes1 Million
Last updated: June 27, 2025

Matthew Lani, also known as Dr Matthew is a South African media personality and self-described HIV/AIDS awareness advocate. He was born in Christiana North West, he gained national and international attention in 2023 after being arrested for allegedly impersonating a medical doctor a case that drew widespread media coverage and public debate.[1] The charges were later withdrawn, and Lani subsequently initiated civil proceedings against government bodies, including the Gauteng Department of Education and the South African Police Service. He is also known for his HIV advocacy and for publicly disclosing his positive status on national television, contributing to conversations about stigma, access to healthcare, and digital misinformation in South Africa.

Education

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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[2][3]

In June 2025, Lani initiated a defamation lawsuit against the Gauteng Department of Education. He alleged that the department had misrepresented his educational background in public statements, including omitting records from Robin Hills Primary School where he claimed to have skipped a grade. Lani further asserted that the department falsely stated that verification had been conducted through Umalusi and failed to verify his academic history with Cambridge International, resulting in reputational harm.[4]

Public Health Advocacy

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Prior to his arrest, Lani created content on TikTok and other platforms focusing on HIV awareness. He appeared on podcasts and talk shows discussing his experiences and encouraging HIV prevention and treatment adherence[5]

Disclosure of HIV Status

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Lani has stated in interviews that he is living with HIV and that he was deliberately infected by a former partner. His story was featured in an episode of ‘‘Unpacked with Relebogile Mabotja’’ on SABC 3, as well as in a follow-up YouTube segment.[6][7]

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On 9 October 2023, Lani made international headlines on his birthday when the Gauteng Department of Health accused him of impersonating a doctor.[8] 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),[9] Wits University,[10] and the Gauteng Department of Education.[11]

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.[12][13] However, Lani's legal team maintained his innocence,[14] 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.[15]

Following his release, Lani announced his intention to pursue legal action against both the South African Police Service and the Gauteng Department of Education. He accused the police of unlawful arrest and the department of defamation for releasing public statements that he claimed were false and damaging to his reputation.[16][17]

The Gauteng Department of Education had previously stated that Lani was not registered in its database as having completed matric, and disputed his claim that he had graduated through a Cambridge international program. Lani responded by stating that the department had failed to verify his records properly and had falsely claimed to have consulted UMALUSI and other bodies. As of mid-2025, a civil lawsuit related to these statements remains ongoing.[18]

Public and Media Response

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The case received wide media coverage in South Africa and abroad, prompting discussions about digital identity, misinformation, and regulatory oversight in health communication.[19] A civil matter related to the incident remains ongoing.

Public image

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Lani’s public persona has generated both significant attention and controversy. He initially gained a following on platforms such as TikTok for posting videos that combined health advice with lifestyle commentary. His content, particularly around HIV prevention, resonated with younger audiences and sparked engagement within South Africa’s online health and wellness communities.[20]

Following his arrest in 2023, Lani became the subject of widespread media coverage. While some commentators criticized his alleged misrepresentation of qualifications, others viewed the incident as a reflection of broader social issues, including youth disillusionment, access to education, and the influence of social media on public trust.[21]

He has continued to maintain a presence online, defending his personal story and criticising what he describes as institutional gatekeeping and defamation. Public opinion remains divided, with some users expressing support for his advocacy work, while others remain skeptical of his credibility and intentions.[22]

References

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  1. ^ "Dr Matthew Lani: TikTok star arrested in South Africa". BBC News. 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  2. ^ "'Dr Matthew' does not have matric — Gauteng education confirms". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 2024-08-26. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  3. ^ Gauteng Provincial Government, Gauteng provincial government (11 October 2023). "No matric certificate for bogus Dr Matthew".
  4. ^ "Matthew Lani strikes again". Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  5. ^ Birjalal, Alyssia (2020-02-28). "WATCH: Matthew Lani's tell-all on fame, struggles and healing in 'Engineer Your Life' podcast". IOL. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  6. ^ Ngenyane, By Andiswa. "Unpacked with Relebogile Mabotja hits new high!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  7. ^ Relebogile Mabotja (2021-11-24). My Partner Deliberately Infected Me With HIV(Part 2) | Unpacked with Relebogile Episode 48 |Season 3. Retrieved 2025-06-21 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ Gauteng Provincial Government, Gauteng Provincial Government (8 October 2023). "Gauteng Health open case against bogus doctor".
  9. ^ Yfm, Yfm (11 October 2023). "HPCSA Dr Matthew Lani statement".
  10. ^ Wits University, Wits university (9 October 2023). "Wits statement Dr Matthew".
  11. ^ Gauteng Provincial Government, Gauteng provincial government (11 October 2024). "No matric for bogus Matthew Lani".
  12. ^ South African Government, South African Government (31 October 2023). "Gauteng Health on capturing of bogus Dr Matthew Lani by security personnel at Helen Joseph Hospital | South African Government". South African Government. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  13. ^ McCain, Nicole. "'Bogus' doctor arrested at Gauteng hospital". News24. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  14. ^ "'He was doing it for entertainment' - 'Dr' Lani's lawyer". SowetanLIVE. Archived from the original on 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  15. ^ SABC, SABC (31 October 2024). "Charges against Matthew Lani withdrawn".
  16. ^ Magagula, Nompumelelo. "Famous internet 'doctor' Matthew Lani demands R2 million for unlawful arrest". News24. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  17. ^ Mntambo, Nokukhanya. "Mchunu says no sight of letter from fake doctor Lani demanding R2m payout over 'unlawful arrest'". EWN. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  18. ^ Kgobotlo, Boitumelo (2025-06-17). "Matthew Lani sues Gauteng education for R2.5m over harm to 'professional' image". Sunday World. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  19. ^ Magubeni, Coceka (2024-11-15). "Matthew Lani admits he lied about his medical background". Sunday World. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  20. ^ "South Africans Doing Great Things - Matthew Lani - The Aubrey Masango Show". omny.fm. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  21. ^ Davis, Rebecca (2023-11-05). "Dr Who? TikTok doctor exposes fraudulent underbelly of social media". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  22. ^ Magubeni, Coceka (2024-11-15). "Matthew Lani admits he lied about his medical background". Sunday World. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
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