POPULAR TikToker Matthew Bongani Lani has filed a R1,35 million lawsuit against the Gauteng Health Department.
The 29-year-old Matthew is accusing the department of assault, defamation, and violating his constitutional rights.
In a summons that Daily Sun has seen, Matthew is claiming damages for five things.
"R500,000.00 for impairment of dignity and privacy, R350,000.00 for defamation and reputational harm, R250,000.00 for emotional distress and psychological harm, R150,000.00 for denial of ARV treatment and disturbance of treatment, and R100,000.00 for constitutional damages (POPIA/Constitution)," the summons read.
Matthew said that Helen Joseph Hospital security unlawfully detained and assaulted him and filmed him without his consent.
"While detained and injured, the plaintiff was subjected to an informal interrogation by hospital staff in the absence of any law enforcement officers. During this interrogation, he was asked about his possession of ARV medication and, under pressure, disclosed his HIV-positive status.
"The interrogation was secretly recorded without the plaintiff's knowledge or consent. He only became aware of the recording at the end and expressly objected to being filmed. The video was subsequently disseminated on social media platforms. It portrayed the plaintiff in a disoriented, vulnerable, and injured state and included disclosure of sensitive medical information," the summons read.
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Matthew also alleged that his ARV medication was confiscated on false grounds.
"No charges were laid in relation to the medication. The ARVs were for personal use, confirmed by medical practitioners and supported by Lancet laboratory results dated 3 January 2024.
"Upon recovery, he sought to continue ARV treatment through the public healthcare system but was repeatedly denied care, facing stigma and hostility, especially from staff who had seen or acted upon the circulated poster," read the summons.
Matthew told Daily Sun that he was glad his issue is finally being taken seriously.
"It was one of the hardest things I've ever gone through. I felt hurt, embarrassed, and like my dignity was taken away. Mentally, it broke me. My family also suffered, watching me struggle and losing weight.
"Now that I'm finally standing up and taking the department to court, I feel stronger. It gives me hope that what happened to me can't just be ignored, and maybe it will stop the same thing from happening to someone else," he said.
Gauteng health spokesman Motalatale Modiba said they couldn't comment yet.
"We will deal with the matter when it shows before the courts," he said.
