TikTok influencer “doctor” Matthew Lani was let off the hook after charges against him were withdrawn at the Johannesburg magistrate’s court.
According to Mail & Guardian, the charges Matthew faced were identity fraud and impersonating a medical doctor.
On Sunday night, Matthew was apprehended by security personnel at Helen Joseph Hospital after he entered the main entrance wearing the infamous stethoscope around his neck, reports the above-mentioned publication. The Gauteng Health Department states that the social media influencer asked to go to the toilet, where he tried to escape through the bathroom window. He was then handed over to the police after security realised his plans to escape.
Addressing the media after leaving court, Matthew’s lawyer Dumisani Mabunda stated, “He was doing whatever he was doing on TikTok for entertainment… It is not impersonation and it’s not a crime.” Dumisani further added that if new developments in the investigation arose, the charges could be reinstated.
Mail & Guardian also reports that the lawyer stated that the least the hospitals “could have done was to maybe ban him [Matthew] going to hospitals and taking videos and, if he were to continue with that, then that would be trespassing and they would have a case against him.”
He continued, “On the other hand, HPCSA [Health Professions Council of South Africa], the least they could have done was maybe to interdict him or stop him from doing those videos.”
Matthew also addressed journalists after exiting court on crutches. He claimed that he was not aware of the multiple fake accounts posing as him and could not comment on that specific matter.
He also replied with “no comment” when asked about a certificate shown in a video as well as his qualifications. However, he provided an answer when asked if he prescribed medication to his social media followers, simply saying, “No.”
As for the crutches, it has now been clarified the reason for its use.
Bogus Dr Matthew Lani addressing the media…. I just know he dreamed of days like this pic.twitter.com/ZZbBezxKeS
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) October 31, 2023
Watch: As Dr Matthew walk out of court #DrMatthew @City_Press pic.twitter.com/1TrepK8IQg
— Rosetta Msimango (@MsimangoRosetta) October 31, 2023
Also see: WATCH: Fake Dr Matthew arrested after being caught at hospital
