Bogus doctor Matthew Lani has been apprehended and handed over to the police, according to the Gauteng department of health.
The department said in a statement on Sunday that “Dr Matthew Lani” was at the Helen Joseph Hospital on Sunday, an institution he claimed to be working for.
“He was captured by the security personnel at the hospital on Sunday night. He was apprehended while entering the main entrance of the facility,” the statement said.
While entering the institution, Lani was disguised in a hoodie with his face covered by a surgical mask and a stethoscope hanging from his neck.
“He had previously entered the same facility to curate misleading content under the pretense that he was a qualified doctor.”
The statement further explained that after being apprehended, the bogus doctor requested to go to the bathroom only to attempt to escape by jumping through the bathroom window.
“When the security realised that he was making a run for it, they called for reinforcement and he was subsequently apprehended again.”
Police confirm arrest
The police have confirmed Lani’s arrest.
“He was handed over to the police and is expected to appear before the Johannesburg magistrate’s court soon on a charge of impersonating a medical personnel,” said Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi.
In a video circulating on social media platforms, Lani can be heard denying impersonating a medical doctor.
“I honestly did not mean any harm, I am so sorry for that. I was not impersonating any doctor and I didn’t say I worked at the Helen Joseph Hospital,” he said.
Earlier in October, the department of education in Gauteng issued a statement saying the social media doctor attended a school for learners with special needs.
“This followed an evaluation at the time, which determined that his academic performance dictated that he be transferred to an LSEN [learners with special education needs] school,” Steve Mabona, the department’s spokesperson, said at the time.
