TikTok Bogus Doctor Arrested at Johannesburg's Helen Joseph Hospital

A character causing an online buzz, known as "Dr. Lani" on TikTok, saw his tale of false medical credentials come to an abrupt close at the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg this past Sunday. Matthew Lani, who had previously claimed to be the country's youngest practitioner, was arrested as he attempted to access the medical facility. He was reportedly sporting a hooded jacket, a surgical mask, and a stethoscope around his neck, lending further to his facade.

Lani had found popularity on the video-sharing platform TikTok, where his videos, showcasing him walking hospital corridors dispensing unchecked medical advice to thousands of followers, made him an internet sensation. His claims of being a Wits University graduate from 2021 were proven false after both the University and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) confirmed they had no record of him. TikTok promptly suspended his account, but he managed to surface under another handle.

The fraudulent physician wasn't only impersonating a profession; he also allegedly used the name Dr Sana Zingelwa, a legitimate second-year medical intern at the Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital. The real Dr. Zingelwa has since opened a case of identity fraud.

Gauteng Health Department spokesperson, Modiba, explained that Lani's videos appeared on their social media platforms after the department initiated a Youth Month campaign asking young professionals to send in videos about being born-free, to which Lani responded.

The saga further extends into October when Lani fabricated email correspondences between himself and both the Wits University and HPCSA, alleging that they apologized for previous confusion. Still, both institutions vehemently denied any such exchanges.

While the exact date of his court appearance remains uncertain, this online imposter faces severe allegations including fraud, with more possibly yet to be unveiled.