Matthew Lani, known for his fake TikTok doctor persona, is facing potential legal action from the Gauteng Department of Health following his claims in a MetroFM interview.
Matthew Lani MetroFM interview lands him in more trouble
The Gauteng Department of Health is considering legal action against Matthew Lani after his recent MetroFM interview.
Lani claimed he had been employed for two years at Helen Joseph Hospital, a statement the department has vehemently denied. Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba confirmed that the interview recordings have been handed over to their legal team for further advice on the steps to be taken against Lani.
During the interview, Lani made bold claims of suing the department for defamation of character, insisting he was a medical doctor. These statements come after the department had distanced itself from Lani in October 2023, following an incident where he was caught pretending to be a doctor at Helen Joseph Hospital.
Lani was apprehended in October 2023 at the hospital after security was alerted to his presence. He initially claimed he was only taking selfies and not impersonating a doctor.
However, he later admitted to the act outside the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, stating he was “only joking.”
His lawyer, Dumisani Mabunda, argued that lying is not a criminal offence, leading to the provisional withdrawal of the case against Lani. Nonetheless, a perjury case related to his false claim of being a medical student is still pending against him.
In the MetroFM interview, Lani further implicated himself by claiming he treated patients while allegedly working at the hospital.
He detailed treating various illnesses, thereby admitting to the crime of impersonating a doctor.
The Gauteng Department of Health has reiterated that Lani was never employed at the hospital and has not been made aware of any legal action threatened by him.
