Cambridge taking legal action against bogus doctor 'Matthew Lani'

The college said he lied about obtaining a qualification from the institution.

The famous TikTok doctor ‘Dr Matthew Lani’ told his followers that he does not have a matric certificate, but a high school diploma obtained through a scholarship at the University of Cambridge in England.

But Cambridge International College says he has never enrolled at their institution and his name does not appear in their official registers for any period.

"Cambridge International College places the utmost importance on the integrity of its academic records and the credibility of the qualifications obtained by its students.

"We hereby vehemently deny any suggestion or statement asserting that Mr. Matthew Zingelwa-Lani holds any qualification from our institution," said Cambridge.

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 had claimed to have studied medicine at Wits Medical School.

The HPCSA, which regulates medical practitioners in South Africa, couldn't find him in their database.

He rose to fame through dispensing medical advice online and has also been featured in television and radio interviews.

Cambridge said it is taking immediate action to protect its reputation and the integrity of its academic processes. 

"We are in the process of seeking legal counsel to address this matter and will pursue all available avenues to rectify the situation.

"It is essential to emphasise that disseminating inaccurate information about individuals and their qualifications can have serious consequences.

 "In this instance, such misinformation may lead to detrimental effects on both personal and professional levels, potentially causing harm to the individual concerned. 

"We strongly urge the public to exercise caution and refrain from spreading unverified information that could result in severe consequences, including but not limited to health issues and, in extreme cases, even loss of life.

"Cambridge International College remains committed to upholding the highest standards of academic excellence, and we appreciate the public's understanding and cooperation in this matter," it added.

The Gauteng Department of Health has since opened a criminal case against him.

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