Case of identity theft opened against ‘Dr Matthew Lani’

The infamous TikTok doctor ‘Dr Matthew Lani’ 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. 

In a statement released on Tuesday,  Dr Zingelwa said the bogus doctor's actions have put a strain on him and his family.

"I must put it on record that I do not know the so-called ‘Dr Matthew Lani’. It is unfortunate that he would abuse social media for his own selfish ends.

“I have opened a case with the South African Police Service of identity fraud.  I hope the bogus doctor will be brought to justice. I would like to request that the SAPS and the whole justice system to work expeditiously to conclude the matter," he said.

Zingelwa said he obtained his medical degree from Cuba through the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro scholarship from the Gauteng Department of Health in 2014.

"I studied from late 2014 until August 2020 for a medical degree (Doctor in Medicine) in Cuba. As part of the Cuban program, students were expected to come complete an 18-month integration programme at a local institution. 

“I completed my integration programme at the University of the Witwatersrand from September 2020 until December 2021. I began my internship at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital in January 2022 to date," he explained.

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.

Cambridge International College also indicated that it will be taking legal action against him.

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