Charges against bogus Dr Matthew Lani dropped
Bogus Dr Matthew Lani was arrested at Helen Joseph Hospital on Sunday after attempting to enter the hospital disguised in a hoodie.
Charges against TikTok influencer and bogus doctor Matthew Lani have been dropped.
This was confirmed by his legal representative Dumisani Mabunda on Tuesday after Lani appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court.
CHARGES AGAINST DR MATTHEW LANI DROPPED
The 27-year-old social media influencer was arrested at Helen Joseph Hospital on Sunday, 29 October and he was charged with impersonating a medical doctor after he stole the identity of a medical intern at Tembisa Hospital.
His lawyer said the State has no prima facie evidence against the accused and as a result the charges have been dropped.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been approached for comment.
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On Sunday, Gauteng Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said Lani was apprehended by security personnel just before 20:00 disguised in a hoodie and wearing a surgical mask with a stethoscope around his neck.
“Immediately after being apprehended, Lani requested to go to the bathroom only to attempt to escape by jumping through the bathroom window. When the security realised he was making a run for it, they called for reinforcement, and he was subsequently apprehended again,” he explained.
Modiba said police were immediately called and the bogus doctor has been handed over to police for an official arrest.
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HPCSA DISASSOCIATES ITSELF WITH BOGUS DOCTOR
Earlier this month Lani was exposed after the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) disassociated itself stating that he does not appear in its registers.
The University of the Witwatesrand also requested the TikTok influencer to retract his claims that he studied there with immediate effect after Lani claimed he studied Medicine at the prestigious institution between 2014 and 2021.