- Judge grants order in favour of content creator Matthew Bongani Lani.
- Defamation lawsuit against Gauteng education department to proceed.
- Lani seeks R2.5 million in damages over “bogus doctor” allegations.
- NPA declined to prosecute due to insufficient evidence.
The Johannesburg High Court has granted an order in favour of controversial content creator Matthew Bongani Lani in his ongoing R2.5 million defamation lawsuit against the Gauteng education department.
The order, delivered on 2 September 2025 by Judge Shaida Mahomed, clears the way for Lani’s case to proceed to trial where it will be heard on its full merits.
“Having read the documents filed for record, and noting that the application is unopposed, and that the applicant [Lani] has provided a satisfactory explanation for the delay, it is hereby ordered that the applicant’s non-compliance with Section 2 of the State Liability Act 20 of 1957 is hereby condoned,” reads Mahomed’s judgment.
Defamation Claim Over “Bogus Doctor” Statement
Lani’s defamation suit stems from a media statement issued by the Gauteng education department on 11 October 2023, which described him as a “bogus doctor” who had been “masquerading” as a medical professional without even a matric certificate.
In his court papers, Lani insists that the statement was false, defamatory, and reckless, causing serious harm to his dignity, reputation, and professional opportunities.
He argued that the media statement was viewed approximately 1.4 million times on X (formerly Twitter) and republished widely across local and international news outlets, intensifying the damage to his reputation.
Lani’s Defence: “False and Inflammatory”
According to Lani, the department’s claims amounted to a premature declaration of guilt in the public eye, despite him never being arrested, charged, or convicted at the time of publication.
He described the use of terms such as “masquerading” as inflammatory, misleading, and without legal authority.
NPA and Human Rights Commission Close Cases
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decided in November 2024 not to prosecute Lani for impersonating a doctor due to insufficient evidence.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that the case was closed, despite earlier investigations by the Hawks. Similarly, the South African Human Rights Commission also closed its probe in March 2024, which had looked into allegations that Lani was denied HIV/Aids medication by the Gauteng health department.
With these findings, Lani is now focused on his civil claim for damages against the education department.