By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that charges against social media influencer and bogus doctor Matthew Lani charges has been dropped due to lack of evidence.
Lani made his first appearance in court on Tuesday.
He was arrested on Sunday evening as he entered the main entrance of Helen Joseph Hospital, the facility he had been using to curate his “Dr” content on his TikTok feed.
A two-minute TikTok video has since made the rounds on social media, in which Lani admits to having accessed the institution, including shooting content in the theatre locker room last week. His excuse was that he did not mean any harm. He goes on to say he changed surnames and that his old surname is Zingelwa.
NPA Spokesperson Phindi said, “We received a docket, but with what is placed in it we could not place the matter on the roll, it is refused pending further investigations. There are no charges at this stage, there is no evidence. We cannot say it was a rushed arrest. There are no prospects of a successful prosecution.
“With what is before us, are we having a person that has lied or misrepresented? If we allege they have misrepresented it must be followed by actual and potential prejudice,” she said.
Mjonondwana added, “you cannot be charged for lying…lying is not an offence.”
Addressing the media following the court appearance, his lawyer Dumisani Mabunda said if there are any developments as investigations continue, the charge of impersonating a doctor could be reinstated.
“His conduct was just for entertainment,” he said, adding that there was no proof that Lani was consulted as a doctor.
“He’s not a qualified doctor, “said Mabunda.
Mabunda said there was also no proof that Lani ever received payment.
Speaking to journalists at the court, Lani said he won’t comment on his qualifications and that he has never prescribed medication to anyone.
He is one of many bogus medical practitioners identified in the past few weeks.
Lani made headlines for presenting himself as an employee of the Gauteng health department at the hospital in Johannesburg and claiming to be a medicine graduate from the University of the Witwatersrand.
He also claimed to be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and that he obtained a high school diploma from Cambridge International College.
Wits University, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and Cambridge International College have all said they have never encountered Lani.