By: Natasha Archary

Thomas and Skhumba couldn’t help but touch on the shocking revelations regarding TikTok “doctor”, Matthew Lani, that had most of South Africa following along with bated breath this week.
The Kaya 959 presenters asked listeners whether they’ve ever wanted to escape reality and actually believe their own delusions of grandeur.
While a momentary escape from life is considered normal, living a life that is not only fabricated but one that involves identity theft is where most people drew the line.
Not only did Matthew Lani lie about his educational qualifications, but he assumed the identity of the real Dr Sanele Sobani Vambani Zingelwa, who will be opening a case of fraud against him.
Lani was also using his social media platforms to market and sell medical products, and had reached a point of believing his web of lies.
The claims made by the bogus “doctor” were put to rest after the Gauteng Department of Education (GDoE) confirmed there are no records of his matric qualifications.
This after Wits and the Provincial Department of Health issued statements distancing themselves from Lani’s claims that he obtained a medical degree and became a doctor at the age of 22.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 11 October, the GDoE said the only records of Matthew Lani was from his enrollment at primary school in 2007, and when he was transferred to a special needs school in 2010.
“Our official records indicate that Matthew Bongani Lani was initially enrolled at Bordeaux Primary School in Randburg in 2007. However, he was referred to Greswold Learners with Special Educational Needs School (LSEN) in Kew, Johannesburg in 2010.
This followed an evaluation at the time, which determined that hi academic performance dictated that he be transferred to a LSEN school. Subsequently, his academic journey at Gresswold LSEN school came to an end in September 2012.
Matthew re-emerged on our system in 2016 at Fourways Adult Centre, where he wrote 3 subjects as a part-time candidate. However, he only passed one of those subjects.
Based on these records, and further verified information at our disposal from UMALUSI, we can confirm that Matthew Bongani Lani indeed does not possess a matric cetificate.”
NO RECORD OF MATRIC CERTIFICATE FOR BOGUS DR MATTHEW LANI
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) October 11, 2023
@EducationGP1 can confirm that there is no existing record of a National Senior Certificate (NSC), or matric certificate, for Matthew Bongani Lani, who has been masquerading on social media as a medical practitioner. pic.twitter.com/obb9cfyOb5
Listen to the conversation on Kaya Drive:
Also read: “Babes, baby, nana, sweety, but we just met”- Things to not call people you are not close with



