Gray Thanks SAMRC for Calling Off Investigation Over “Unscientific” Lockdown

The dust seems to have settled around the matter of Professor Glenda Gray, who was critical of the unscientific nature of some of the lockdown measures, drawing the ire of a Department of Health official who said she should be investigated by the South African Medical Research Council. The council on Tuesday said that after interviewing the parties, it was not pursuing the matter further.

Gray, a physician and scientist specializing in the care of children and in HIV medicine, and also president of the SAMRC, thanked the council’s board for resolving the issue so quickly. She also thanked her family and “all those who have reached out to me personally during this unfortunate and trying time and especially to those who insisted on upholding the principles of academic freedom, which can only be of benefit to our country and all its people.”

A week ago, Gray said in an interview with News24 that some of the government’s measures during lockdown ignored the scientists. In a later radio interview she said that the ban on e-commerce during lockdown didn’t make sense and that making people exercise between 6 and 9 a.m. caused congestion. She later clarified that she wasn’t critical of the lockdown but of some of the regulations.

Shortly afterwards, Anban Pillay, the acting director-general of the Health Department, requested an investigation into the conduct of Gray, claiming that she had “made a number of false allegations against government.”

Many scientists came out in support of Gray, and the investigation was called a witchhunt and Pillay accused of having a political agenda.

On Tuesday, the council said it had met to discuss the current challenges relating to the media statements made by Gray “in her private capacity” and had received communication from the Department of Health regarding her comments.

“The Board has decided that it will not be instituting any further investigation on this matter.”