Who is Dr. Matthew Lani? Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Career
Dr. Matthew Lani is a South African social media personality who rose to fame by claiming to be a medical doctor and offering health advice on TikTok and other platforms. However, his claims were exposed as false and he was arrested on charges of impersonating a doctor in October 2023. Here is everything you need to know about him.
Dr. Matthew Lani Wiki/BIO
| Name | Dr. Matthew Lani |
| Age | 27 years old (as of 2023) |
| Birthplace | South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Education | The University of Witwatersrand (alleged) |
| Profession | Social media influencer |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Net Worth | Unknown |
| drmatthewlani | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Early Life and Education
Dr. Matthew Lani is a South African social media personality who claimed to be a doctor and gave medical advice on TikTok and other platforms. However, his claims were exposed as false and he was arrested on charges of impersonating a doctor in October 2023.
According to his fabricated biography, he was born on May 16, 2001, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He said that he was 21 years old when he graduated from medical school in 2021. However, both of these claims were false, as he never attended medical school and he was actually 27 years old in 2023.
Dr. Matthew’s real name is Matthew Sanele Zingelwa. He used another alias, Dr. Sanele Zingelwa, to pretend to be a second-year medical intern at the Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital in Gauteng. However, this turned out to be another lie, as the real Dr. Sanele Sobani Vambani Zingelwa opened a case of identity fraud against him at the Tembisa police station.
Educational Background
Dr. Matthew claimed that he had a high school education from Cambridge International College and a medical degree (MBBS) from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. However, both of these claims were false, as he never attended either of these institutions. He did not have any formal education in medicine or health sciences.
He only learned some medical terms and facts from the internet and books and used them to deceive his social media followers and the public. He also lied about his age, saying that he was 21 years old when he graduated from medical school in 2021, while he was actually 27 years old in 2023.
He did not have any proof of qualification or registration as a health practitioner in South Africa. He was arrested for impersonating a doctor and violating the Health Professions Act.
Social Media Career
Dr. Matthew Lani started his social media career by posting videos on TikTok, where he gained popularity by giving medical advice on topics such as weight loss, cancer, diabetes, HIV, and COVID-19. He also sold weight-loss pills on his social media accounts and was interviewed by several radio stations, television programs, and podcasts as a health expert. He always wore a stethoscope around his neck to appear credible and authoritative.
He amassed almost 300,000 followers on TikTok before his account was closed. He then opened another one, which had more than 50,000 followers. He also had accounts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, where he shared his medical content and personal life.
Family Background
Dr. Lani’s family background is not well known to the public. He has not shared any information about his parents or siblings on his social media accounts or in any interviews.
However, one person who claimed to be his cousin posted a TikTok video saying that the whole family was ashamed and embarrassed by his actions. The person said that they had decided to distance themselves from him and that they were not using his real name.
Dr. Matthew Lani’s net worth
Dr. Lani’s net worth is estimated to be around $500K USD. He earned money from selling weight-loss pills and other products on his social media accounts, as well as from endorsements and sponsorships from various brands and companies.
However, his net worth may be affected by the legal consequences of his arrest and the potential lawsuits from his customers and victims.
Controversies and Arrest
Dr. Lani’s claims of being a doctor were questioned by many social media users, who doubted his qualifications and credentials. They pointed out the inconsistencies and errors in his academic journey, work history, and age. They also contacted the University of Witwatersrand and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to verify his claims.
The University of Witwatersrand denied that Dr. Lani was ever a student there and asked him to retract all references linking him to the institution. The HPCSA also said that he was not a registered health practitioner and violated the Health Professions Act by impersonating a doctor. The Gauteng Department of Health opened a case of impersonating a doctor against him.
Dr. Matthew Lani maintained his innocence and refused to provide any supporting documentation for his claims. He said that he did not owe anyone a practice number or proof of qualification. He also said that his real name was Dr. Sanele Zingelwa, a second-year medical intern at the Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital in Gauteng.
However, this turned out to be another lie, as the real Dr. Sanele Sobani Vambani Zingelwa opened a case of identity fraud against him at the Tembisa police station.
On October 29, 2023, Dr. Matthew Lani was arrested by security personnel at the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg while trying to enter the institution to shoot TikTok content.
He was wearing a hoodie, a surgical mask, and a stethoscope around his neck to disguise himself. He tried to escape police custody by jumping out of a bathroom window but was caught again. He was expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on October 31, 2023, on a charge of impersonating medical personnel.
TikTok Star Arrested for Posing as a Doctor: The Shocking Story of Dr Matthew Lani
Who is Dr Matthew Lani?
Dr Matthew Lani is a self-proclaimed doctor and TikTok star who gained popularity by posting videos of memes, medical advice, and medication sales online. He claimed to have a medical degree from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, but the institution denied this.
He also used the name of Dr Sanele Zingelwa, a real medical intern at the Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital, to deceive authorities and patients. He has been accused of fraud, impersonation, and misleading content creation.
How was he arrested?
Dr Matthew Lani was arrested on Sunday, October 29, 2023, after trying to enter the Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg, where he had previously filmed some of his TikTok videos.
He was disguised in a hoodie and wearing a surgical mask and stethoscope around his neck. He was caught by security guards and handed over to the police. He attempted to escape by jumping out of a bathroom window but was recaptured. He is currently in police custody and facing criminal charges.
What are the implications of his actions?
Dr Matthew Lani’s actions have raised serious concerns about the safety and quality of health care in South Africa, where there have been about 124 arrests of fake doctors in the last three years, according to the Ministry of Health.
His videos have also spread misinformation and potentially harmful advice to his followers, who trusted him as a credible source of medical knowledge. His fraud has also damaged the reputation and identity of Dr Sanele Zingelwa, who has filed a case against him.
How has the public reacted?
The public reaction to Dr Matthew Lani’s arrest has been mixed. Some people have expressed shock, anger, and disappointment at his deception and exploitation of vulnerable patients. Others have shown sympathy, curiosity, and amusement at his audacity and creativity.
Some have even defended him as a victim of social media pressure and fame-seeking. His TikTok account has been banned, but he has created a new one with over 50,000 followers. His arrest has also sparked a debate about the regulation and verification of online content creators and influencers.
Dr. Matthew Lani is a South African social media personality who pretended to be a doctor and offered health advice on TikTok and other platforms. He was exposed as a fraud and arrested on charges of impersonating a doctor in October 2023.
His case has raised awareness about the dangers of trusting unverified sources of information on social media and the importance of verifying the credentials and qualifications of anyone claiming to be a medical professional online.
